The Supreme Court has allowed President Donald Trump to enforce the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members, lifting a previous block by a federal judge. The 5-4 decision enables the administration to proceed with deportations under the 18th-century wartime law, provided detainees are given due process. This means they must receive notice and have the opportunity to challenge their deportation in court.
The court's ruling came after U.S. District Judge James Boasberg had temporarily halted the deportations, calling the administration's use of the act "problematic and concerning." However, the Supreme Court determined that the migrants filed their challenge in the wrong jurisdiction, allowing the administration to continue its actions while legal proceedings are ongoing. The ruling emphasized that legal challenges must occur in Texas, where the detainees are held, rather than in Washington, D.C.
The Trump administration claims the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua poses a national security threat and operates under the direction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The administration's move has been controversial, with critics arguing that the Alien Enemies Act should not be used in peacetime or against non-military threats.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) plans to refile the case in the appropriate jurisdiction, as the Supreme Court's decision allows for due process challenges. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem celebrated the ruling, asserting the president's authority to protect national security.