In a significant blow to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday temporarily blocked the administration from deporting nearly 200 Venezuelan migrants under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act — a rarely used wartime statute.
The ruling, which sided with Venezuelan nationals detained in northern Texas, pauses the president’s controversial effort to bypass standard deportation procedures by invoking the centuries-old law.
While the decision is not final, it sends the case back to an appeals court to determine whether the president acted within legal bounds and whether migrants must be given adequate notice to contest their removals.
The Trump administration had sought immediate deportations, arguing that some detainees had ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua — a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
Solicitor General John Sauer claimed that at least 23 of the detained migrants barricaded themselves in a Texas detention center, threatening ICE officers and creating a volatile situation.
However, critics argue that the evidence provided by the administration — including tattoos and clothing allegedly linked to gang affiliations — falls short of justifying mass deportations without due process.
The administration has been accused of using the Alien Enemies Act to skirt legal protections for asylum seekers and immigrants.
Friday’s decision marks the second time in recent weeks the Supreme Court has intervened in this case. Previously, the justices temporarily allowed the use of the Alien Enemies Act but required that migrants receive notice and opportunity to challenge their deportation.
