Trump’s Use of 1798 Law to Deport Venezuelans Blocked by Court

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has blocked the Trump administration's attempt to deport a group of Venezuelan men under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. The administration had sought to use this law, which allows the president to deport or detain foreign nationals from countries deemed hostile, to remove the Venezuelans. The court ruled that the administration failed to demonstrate that the Venezuelans posed a threat to national security, a requirement under the law. The decision is a setback for the administration's efforts to expand the use of the Alien Enemies Act, which was initially intended to target foreign nationals during times of war or declared hostilities. The case highlights the ongoing legal and political battles over immigration policies under the Trump administration. The ruling suggests that the courts will scrutinize any attempts to use outdated laws in new ways to deport or detain immigrants, emphasizing the need for the administration to provide sufficient justification for such actions.