A federal judge has ruled in favor of the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport certain undocumented immigrants linked to criminal organizations, marking a pivotal moment in the legal debate over presidential authority in immigration enforcement.
U.S. District Judge Stephanie Haines upheld the administration’s ability to invoke the 1798 law to facilitate the removal of undocumented Venezuelan nationals allegedly connected to Tren de Aragua, a gang designated as a foreign terrorist group.
In her ruling, Judge Haines stipulated that individuals targeted under the order must be given at least 21 days’ notice and access to legal and language support to challenge their deportation in court. The case involved a Venezuelan migrant identified as A.S.R., though the court did not determine his affiliation with the gang in question.
The ruling diverges from previous decisions by courts in other states that had rejected similar applications of the Alien Enemies Act, a statute historically tied to wartime measures.
The decision has reignited debate over the limits of executive power, especially regarding the use of historical legislation to address modern immigration issues. Legal experts anticipate further appeals, as immigrant rights advocates warn of broader implications for due process and civil liberties.