Supreme Court Backs Trump in Alien Enemies Act Case: ‘A great day for justice in America’

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In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court has granted President Donald Trump’s request to lift a lower court’s stay that had blocked the administration from using a 1798 wartime immigration law to deport Venezuelan nationals, Fox News reports. This ruling is a significant win for the administration’s immigration policies, allowing for the immediate removal of certain illegal immigrants, including members of the Tren de Aragua gang.

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The core of the issue is the Alien Enemies Act, enacted in 1789, which permits the swift removal of specific migrants from U.S. soil. Before Trump’s second term, this law had been invoked only three times in U.S. history: during the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II.

The Trump administration’s lawyers argued that the lower court’s orders hindered their immigration agenda and ability to protect the nation against foreign terrorist organizations, potentially undermining foreign negotiations.

According to Fox News, “President Trump took to Truth Social to react to the decision in a post: ‘The Supreme Court has upheld the Rule of Law in our Nation by allowing a President, whoever that may be, to be able to secure our Borders, and protect our families and our Country, itself. A GREAT DAY FOR JUSTICE IN AMERICA!’”

This decision follows U.S. District Judge James Boasberg’s temporary order last month, which temporarily blocked the use of the 1798 law for 14 days. An appeals court upheld this pause in a 2-1 decision.

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Both Boasberg and the appellate panel questioned the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act and the deportation of hundreds of migrants to El Salvador shortly after Trump’s proclamation. Concerns arose when deportation flights proceeded around the same time as Boasberg’s temporary halt order, leading to questions about whether officials knowingly defied the order, which required flights already in the air to return immediately.

Boasberg is considering holding Trump administration officials in contempt of court for not providing requested information about the deportation flights. Government lawyers cited national security concerns for their non-compliance. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign suggested the flight information wasn’t classified, leading Boasberg to question why it was not provided.

The court also pressed for the names, locations, and agencies of those involved in the removals and any internal discussions about monitoring court proceedings. This legal battle is ongoing, with Boasberg still weighing potential contempt charges and a preliminary injunction hearing, even as the Supreme Court ruling may not conclude Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act.

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