US President Donald Trump’s administration has taken a significant step towards defying court orders, escalating deportations of Venezuelan migrants in defiance of immigration law.
The move involves invoking the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a statute with an unsavory past that was used only three times in US history. The act allows for accelerated deportations without going through the normal process mandated by immigration law.
On Friday, Trump hinted at using the statue against Venezuelan migrants deemed members of the Tren de Aragua gang during a speech at the Justice Department, breaching tradition and disrespecting the department’s independence from the president.
The administration’s actions are raising concerns about Trump’s hatred of immigrants, disdain for the legal process, and willingness to push executive authority boundaries. This combination of traits is “magnifying one another in a uniquely risky way,” according to experts, posing significant risks to democracy and the rule of law.
Source: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/trump-alien-enemies-act/682068