Supreme Court Backs Trump on Gang Member Deportations, But Adds Caveats

The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for President Donald Trump’s Administration to proceed with deportations of Venezuelan gang members under a rarely used 18th century law, reinforcing the president’s authority on matters of national security and immigration.

The 5-4 ruling, driven by the court’s conservative majority, lifts a temporary block placed by Washington-based Judge James Boasberg, who had halted the removals in March. The decision empowers Trump to continue using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act — historically invoked during wartime — to address what his administration characterizes as urgent national security threats.

However the ruling also established conditions which the Administration must adhere to; all deportations will require judicial review, and detainees must receive notification of their removal under the Act. “The notice must be afforded within a reasonable time and in such a manner as will allow them to actually seek habeas relief in the proper venue before such removal occurs,” the Nustices wrote in their ruling.

Trump had vowed to deport foreign gang members, including those belonging to the murderous Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang.

The Court’s three liberal Justices were joined by Justice Amy Coney Barrett in dissenting, arguing for more limitations.

President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act on March 15, citing the need to act decisively against gang threats.

It is expected that Trump’s deportation orders against foreigners who take part in violent protests in support of terrorists, or who engage in antisemitic hate crimes, will also be heard by the Supreme Court as federal judges have challenged these orders.