Supreme Court Blocks Trump Administration's Rapid Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked President Donald Trump's administration from using the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to expedite deportations of alleged Venezuelan gang members currently detained in Texas, ruling that these individuals must be given adequate notice and an opportunity to contest their removal in court. The 7-2 decision emphasized that notice given roughly 24 hours before removal without sufficient information about due process rights is insufficient, requiring targeted immigrants to have reasonable time to contact counsel and pursue relief. While the Court acknowledged the government could still deport migrants under other lawful authorities, such actions generally require proper notice and judicial review. Conservative Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented, expressing concerns about the Court's handling of the case. The decision sends the case back to lower courts to address procedural questions, underscoring ongoing legal challenges to the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics. Legal analysts note this ruling represents a significant but temporary setback for the president's efforts to accelerate deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.