The US Supreme Court intervened on Saturday to pause the deportation of Venezuelans designated as gang members under an 18th-century wartime law, responding to a lawsuit challenging these actions by the Trump administration. This judicial order instructs the government to refrain from removing any Venezuelan detainees from the country until further notice.
The decision highlights concerns raised by civil liberties advocates, particularly the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which filed the lawsuit in question. They argue that without legal recourse, many detainees risk being sent back to El Salvador, potentially facing life sentences without a fair chance to contest their removal.
The deportations were justified by President Trump under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which he claimed allowed action against individuals implicated in threats to national security. Specifically, Trump pointed to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), accusing them of orchestrating serious threats to the United States. Since the beginning of the year, about 261 Venezuelans have faced deportation, with 137 processed under the controversial wartime law.
A previous ruling from a lower court had already stalled these deportations on March 15, and the Supreme Court's recent order reflects ongoing debates about the legality and morality of utilizing such old legislation in contemporary immigration cases. As the legal fight continues, many are watching closely to see how this case will unfold and impact US immigration policy.
