Judge prevents Trump from using ancient law to deport immigrants

President Trump’s plan to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport migrants to Guantanamo Bay has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge following a lawsuit filed by five Venezuelan men in immigration custody. The 227-year-old wartime law gives presidents the power to order the arrest, detention, and deportation of noncitizens from countries staging an “invasion or predatory incursion” of the U.S. The lawsuit argues that the law has only been used during times of war and cannot be applied to non-warlike actions. The judge has implemented a temporary restraining order preventing deportations for 14 days, including all noncitizens in U.S. custody covered by Trump’s invocation of the law. The Justice Department has appealed the decision, arguing that the court does not have jurisdiction over the case. The next hearing is scheduled for March 21. The ACLU, which filed the lawsuit, hailed the judge’s decision as recognizing the harm the plaintiffs would face if removed. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the judge’s ruling, stating it prioritizes terrorists over the safety of Americans. The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications for the use of the Alien Enemies Act outside of wartime scenarios.