Trump Set to Invoke Alien Enemies Act to Accelerate Deportations

The 1798 law, previously used in wartime, may target Venezuelan migrants as part of Trump’s largest deportation initiative, raising legal and human rights concerns.

President Trump plans to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, granting broad powers to detain and deport foreign nationals deemed threats, with implementation expected as early as Friday.
The administration is reportedly focusing on Venezuelan gang members, including suspected affiliates of Tren de Aragua, as part of Trump’s campaign promise for mass deportations.
Efforts to house migrants at Guantánamo Bay have faced logistical challenges, lawsuits, and protests, leading to the return of detainees to U.S. soil despite $16 million spent on the initiative.
Deportation rates have lagged behind arrests due to logistical hurdles, including overcrowded facilities, limited deportation flights, and resistance from migrants' home countries.
Legal experts and rights groups have raised concerns over the potential misuse of the Alien Enemies Act, citing its historical wartime use and possible violations of due process.