The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled 7-2 against the Trump administration’s attempt to expedite deportations of Venezuelan nationals under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The Court determined that providing detainees with only 24 hours’ notice and insufficient information to challenge their removal violated constitutional due process rights.
The administration had invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law, to deport individuals allegedly associated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. However, the Court emphasized that detainees must receive adequate notice and an opportunity to contest their deportation in court.
President Trump criticized the ruling, stating that it hinders efforts to remove dangerous individuals from the country. He expressed frustration over the legal processes required for deportation, contrasting them with the ease of illegal entry into the U.S.
The case has been remanded to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to determine the appropriate procedures for deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. The Supreme Court’s decision does not address the broader legality of using the Act for such deportations.
This ruling represents a significant legal setback for the Trump administration’s immigration policy, highlighting the ongoing tension between national security measures and constitutional protections.
