Supreme Court Halts Venezuelan Migrant Deportations

The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s deportation of Venezuelan migrants detained in Texas under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, after the administration began removing detainees—alleged to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang—without proper notice or chance to contest, defying a prior Supreme Court order. The unsigned 7-2 ruling, with Justices Alito and Thomas dissenting, blocks any removals until further notice and underscores the need for judicial review before deportations proceed. The ACLU, representing the migrants, warned of life-threatening conditions for deportees in El Salvador’s megaprison system. The case highlights the aggressive use of rarely-invoked wartime statutes for immigration enforcement under Trump. Emergency appeals were filed in multiple courts as the administration pursued summary removals. The deportation pause will remain while the Supreme Court reviews the detainees’ due process claims.