Federal Judge Upholds Trump Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act

A federal judge in Pennsylvania, Stephanie Haines, ruled in favor of the Trump administration's use of the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to deport alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, designated as a foreign terrorist organization. This ruling allows the administration to proceed with expedited deportations but requires providing migrants with a 21-day notice in a language they understand and an opportunity to appeal, ensuring some due process protections. The decision contrasts with several other federal judges who have blocked the administration's use of the AEA, highlighting a growing judicial divide over the application of this wartime law in peacetime immigration enforcement. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) opposes the use of the AEA in this context and plans to appeal, arguing that wartime powers should not be invoked during peacetime. Judge Haines emphasized that her role was to apply the law as written and noted that decisions about the law's future use rest with the political branches and the electorate. The case underscores ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding immigration policies and the limits of executive authority in deportation matters.