Judge Blocks Trump's Alien Enemies Act Deportations

A federal judge, Fernando Rodriguez Jr., has issued a permanent injunction blocking the Donald Trump administration from deporting Venezuelans from South Texas under the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act. The judge ruled that Donald Trump's invocation of the law was 'unlawful' and exceeded its scope, as the alleged activities of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua did not constitute an 'invasion' as required by the statute. This marks the first formal permanent injunction against the administration's use of this law, which has only been invoked three times before in United States history. The American Civil Liberties Union, which argued the case, applauded the decision. The Donald Trump administration has indicated it will appeal the ruling, likely to the conservative United States — United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and potentially to the United States — Supreme Court of the United States, which has previously ruled that migrants must be given 'reasonable time' to contest their removal.