In a major legal twist, the United States Supreme Court has issued an emergency order halting President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to deport Venezuelan migrants under a rarely-used law from the 18th century.
The court’s ruling came late Saturday and temporarily blocks the Trump administration from continuing deportations under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act — a law last invoked during World War II. Notably, two of the Court’s most conservative justices dissented in the decision.
Trump had begun using the act to deport Venezuelans to a notorious prison facility in El Salvador, citing national security concerns over gang-related violence. But critics argue that the move bypasses essential constitutional protections and denies migrants their right to a fair hearing.
The Supreme Court responded just hours before dozens more deportations were scheduled to occur, ordering that no member of the targeted group be removed from the U.S. “until further notice.”
Trump maintains that these actions are necessary to combat violent Venezuelan gangs, which the U.S. government now labels as terrorist organizations. He insists the deportations — and the use of El Salvador’s high-security prison known as CECOT — are part of his broader crackdown on crime.
But civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have fiercely opposed the move. “These men were in imminent danger of spending their lives in a horrific foreign prison without ever having had a chance to go to court,” said ACLU lawyer Lee Gelernt.
The administration’s position is that the Alien Enemies Act allows for such deportations, even arguing before the court that other legal avenues exist to carry out the removals if the Act is blocked.
Trump, who reclaimed the White House last year on promises to combat illegal immigration, has doubled down on tough border policies. His administration has deployed troops to the southern border, imposed tariffs on neighboring countries, and labeled gangs like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as terrorist groups.
One disturbing development in this policy’s execution is the deportation of individuals based largely on their tattoos. One such case involved Kilmar Abrego Garcia from Maryland, who was deported to CECOT before authorities admitted it was a mistake.
Despite a court ruling for his return, Trump continued to call him a gang member and even shared a photoshopped image on social media to support his claim.
As backlash mounts, Trump and his allies have increased their attacks on what they describe as “activist” judges. Influencers within his base have even urged the public to disregard the Supreme Court’s ruling.
This escalating legal battle is raising alarm among Democrats and civil rights defenders, who fear that constitutional rights are being dangerously eroded under the guise of national security.
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