In a significant ruling this weekend, the US Supreme Court has ordered a freeze on the deportation of Venezuelans labeled as gang members by the Trump administration, invoking a rarely used 18th-century wartime law. The court's decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which argued that many detainees might face severe consequences without a proper opportunity to contest their deportations.
The Trump administration had previously utilized the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to justify these deportations, claiming that members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) posed a threat to US security. As of early April, more than half of the 261 Venezuelans deported were removed under this Act. A lower court had already stepped in on March 15 to temporarily block these actions, emphasizing the dire situation facing detainees who could be sent to a harsh prison system in El Salvador.
Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito dissented from the majority opinion, highlighting the complexities of the case. The ACLU underscored the profound stakes involved, expressing that without the Supreme Court's intervention, many detainees could be facing a life sentence far from home, with little chance to appeal their removal. The court's order ensures that deportations will remain on hold until further instruction, offering hope for those affected.
