The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halted the deportation of Venezuelan men in immigration custody who are alleged members of the crime gang Tren de Aragua, which President Trump declared a foreign terrorist organization. The Trump administration is urging the Supreme Court not to block the deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. The court issued an administrative stay, blocking the removals while the Venezuelans fight their deportations in court.
Solicitor General John Sauer argued that the government only had a short time to reply to the Venezuelans’ emergency appeal and asked the court not to grant the extraordinary relief they seek. The administration maintains that the deportations are lawful under the Alien Enemies Act, despite challenges from various cases.
The American Civil Liberties Union has been advocating for the halting of deportations, citing the imminent danger faced by the men who were already loaded on buses and told they would be deported. The Supreme Court ordered both sides to submit written arguments while the deportations are on hold.
Despite opposition from Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, the Supreme Court’s unsigned decision temporarily prevents the removal of any members of the detainee class from the United States. The government argues that the Venezuelans’ request to the high court was premature as they did not first go through lower courts.
