Judges Block Trump's AEA Deportation Efforts

Federal judges in New York and Texas have temporarily blocked the Trump administration's efforts to deport five Venezuelan men under the Alien Enemies Act, a law historically used during wartime. The men, alleged by the administration to be part of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, are contesting these claims in court, arguing the identification method based on tattoos and clothing is unreliable. The Supreme Court previously allowed the use of the Act but mandated that detainees be given the opportunity to challenge their deportation in court. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed lawsuits challenging these deportations, seeking broader protections for similarly detained individuals. Judges Alvin Hellerstein and Fernando Rodriguez Jr. have issued temporary restraining orders to maintain the status quo while further legal challenges proceed. These cases could set a precedent for how wartime laws are applied to noncitizens during peacetime.