President Donald Trump’s aggressive deportation policy has hit a major legal wall after the Supreme Court ruled to uphold a block on his administration’s.
Use of a centuries-old law not seen since World War II. In a controversial move earlier this year, Trump relied on the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
A law crafted when the US feared war with France — to deport over 200 individuals allegedly tied to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
But on Friday (May 16), the Supreme Court delivered a crushing blow to the strategy, denying a request to clear a legal barrier stopping further deportations.
A Rare Law Used Only During Wartime
The Alien Enemies Act allows the president to detain or deport individuals from a nation considered hostile — but only if there’s a declared war or hostile.
Incursion against the US. Historically, it’s been used just three times: during the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II.
