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News| | Publish on Sat, 04/19/2025 - 05:48

Supreme Court blocks, for now, new deportations under 18th century wartime law

In a brief order, the court directed the Trump administration not to remove Venezuelans held in the Bluebonnet Detention Center "until further order of this court."

Supreme Court blocks, for now, new deportations under 18th century wartime law

The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked the deportation of Venezuelans held in northern Texas under an 18th century wartime law, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The Trump administration had been planning to remove these individuals, but the ACLU filed an emergency appeal to prevent their deportation. The high court's order directs the administration not to remove the Venezuelans held in the Bluebonnet Detention Center until further notice. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented from the decision. The ACLU argued that immigration authorities were accusing the men of being members of a gang, making them subject to the Alien Enemies Act. The act has only been invoked three times before in U.S. history, most recently during World War II. The Trump administration contended that it gave them the power to swiftly remove immigrants identified as gang members. Federal judges in other jurisdictions had already issued orders preventing removals under the act until immigrants had a chance to contest their deportation in court. However, no such order had been issued in the area of Texas that covers the Bluebonnet facility. Despite efforts by the ACLU to prevent the deportation of these individuals, federal judges in Texas declined to issue a broad order barring removals of all Venezuelans in the area under the act. The ACLU's emergency filing included sworn declarations from immigration lawyers stating that their clients were being prepared for deportation. The Supreme Court's decision to temporarily block the deportations provides relief for these individuals who were at risk of being sent back to Venezuela. The legal battle over their removal under the Alien Enemies Act continues, with further court hearings expected to determine their fate.

Author Name: The Associated Press

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