The Alien Enemies Act: What To Know About A 1798 Law That Trump Has Invoked For Deportations
Top News
1 week, 3 days ago

The Alien Enemies Act: What To Know About A 1798 Law That Trump Has Invoked For Deportations

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING President Donald Trump on Saturday invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since World War II, granting himself sweeping powers under a centuries-old law to deport people associated with a Venezuelan gang. The American Civil Liberties Union and Democracy Forward preemptively sued Trump late Friday in federal court in Washington, D.C., saying five Venezuelan men being held at an immigration detention center in Raymondville, Texas, were at “imminent risk of removal” under the Alien Enemies Act. “By invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, I will direct our government to use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks bringing devastating crime to U.S. soil,” he said. Last month, the Trump administration designated Tren de Aragua and seven other Latin American crime organizations as “foreign terrorist organizations,” upping pressure on cartels operating in the U.S. and on anyone aiding them.

Law Immigration War Congress Trump Gang Enemies President Act Venezuelan World War Ii Alien El Salvador Aragua Tren De Aragua Deportations Boasberg  federal  trump  enemies  gang  war  know  deportations  invoked  law  alien  aragua  act  president  immigration  1798

History of this topic

The Overlooked Legal Problem at the Heart of Trump’s So-Called Deportations to El Salvador
55 years, 2 months ago

The Overlooked Legal Problem at the Heart of Trump’s So-Called Deportations to El Salvador

Slate  

Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Nazis got better treatment under the Alien Enemies Act.” On this week’s Amicus, Dahlia Litwick spoke to Quinta Jurecic, a fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution and a senior editor at Lawfare, about the notice and opportunity …

Trump administration invokes state secrets privilege in case over deportations under wartime law
1 day, 14 hours ago

Trump administration invokes state secrets privilege in case over deportations under wartime law

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Monday invoked a “state secrets privilege” and refused to give a federal judge any additional information about the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador under an 18th century wartime law — a case that has become a flashpoint amid escalating tension with the federal courts. Boasberg, the chief judge of the federal district …

Trump officials defend use of wartime law to deport migrants
2 days, 12 hours ago

Trump officials defend use of wartime law to deport migrants

Hindustan Times  

By Valerie Volcovici and Nathan Layne Trump officials defend use of wartime law to deport migrants WASHINGTON -Trump administration officials on Sunday defended their use of extraordinary war powers to deport scores of Venezuelan migrants despite a judge blocking the move and Venezuela denying U.S. officials' assertions that the deportees were gang members. Bondi said the Trump administration's decision to …

'Destroys privacy': Experts panic as Trump eyes letting Feds raid homes without warrants
5 days, 8 hours ago

'Destroys privacy': Experts panic as Trump eyes letting Feds raid homes without warrants

Raw Story  

An arcane wartime law President Donald Trump recently invoked to carry out the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members could open the door for federal agents to enter residences without a warrant, according to the New York Times. But a reading of the language by senior Justice Department lawyers, together with the historical context of the law, has led the …

Immigration: The Trump administration is invoking an obscure law that makes very little sense in 2025.
5 days, 13 hours ago

Immigration: The Trump administration is invoking an obscure law that makes very little sense in 2025.

Slate  

Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. The president invoked the law through executive action, directing immigration authorities to target members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang, who are “not actually naturalized or lawful permanent residents of the United States.” The order proclaims that these …

The Take: What Trump’s Alien Enemies Act means for the US today
6 days, 5 hours ago

The Take: What Trump’s Alien Enemies Act means for the US today

Al Jazeera  

US President Donald Trump invokes the Alien Enemies Act and deports hundreds more seeking refuge in the United States. By invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, United States President Donald Trump launched a constitutional showdown and sent aspiring Americans to El Salvador to some of the worst prisons in the world. After putting the law on pause, a federal …

This is not a drill: Trump's new attack on America means no one is safe
6 days, 17 hours ago

This is not a drill: Trump's new attack on America means no one is safe

Raw Story  

“Whenever law ends, tyranny begins.” —John Locke When a president declares an “invasion” to justify shredding the Constitution, he’s not defending the nation—he’s declaring war on democracy itself. Donald Trump, in his endless pursuit of authoritarian control, is now weaponizing a wartime-only power—the Alien Enemies Act—to circumvent legal protections, deport individuals without any due process, and imprison people indefinitely with …

What is the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 that Trump wants to use in deportations?
1 week, 1 day ago

What is the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 that Trump wants to use in deportations?

Hindustan Times  

By Tom Hals What is the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 that Trump wants to use in deportations? March 17 - U.S. President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act in a proclamation made public on Saturday as part of his pledge to deport millions of people who are in the country illegally. The act states it can be invoked …

Deportations and a centuries-old law: What is the Alien Enemies Act that the court has blocked Trump from using?
1 week, 1 day ago

Deportations and a centuries-old law: What is the Alien Enemies Act that the court has blocked Trump from using?

Firstpost  

US President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport over 200 alleged members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, citing them as an ‘invading force’. File Image/Reuters A US federal court has temporarily blocked United States President Donald Trump from using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged members of a Venezuelan gang. “By …

US Deports Venezuelan 'Gang Members' To El Salvador Defying Court Order To Trump
1 week, 2 days ago

US Deports Venezuelan 'Gang Members' To El Salvador Defying Court Order To Trump

ABP News  

The US has deported over 250 mainly Venezuelan alleged gang members to El Salvador despite a ruling by a court to halt the flights on Saturday after President Donald Trump controversially invoked the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century law meant only to be used in wartime. El Salvador President, Nayib Bukele, said 238 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de …

Donald Trump deports hundreds as federal court order fails to turn around planes
1 week, 2 days ago

Donald Trump deports hundreds as federal court order fails to turn around planes

Hindustan Times  

A US federal judge's order blocking the Donald Trump administration's move to deport hundreds of alleged illegal immigrants under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act failed to yield an immediate result as the verbal order to turn the planes around was not specified in a written order. US District Judge James E Boasberg was hearing a suit filed by the American …

Trump's push for deportations without due process is meant to cause a constitutional crisis
1 week, 2 days ago

Trump's push for deportations without due process is meant to cause a constitutional crisis

Salon  

Elon Musk told Fox News' Larry Kudlow last week that Democrats support the safety net programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid so they can lure undocumented immigrants to America and get their illegal votes. This whole drama was reportedly orchestrated by Trump senior adviser Stephen Miller and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who planned to keep the announcement of Trump's …

US deports hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members under now-blocked authority
1 week, 2 days ago

US deports hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members under now-blocked authority

Firstpost  

President Donald Trump on Friday invoked the wartime Alien Enemies Act to rapidly deport alleged members of Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization that has been linked to kidnapping, extortion, organized crime and contract killings. Image- AP The United States has expelled hundreds of suspected members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua under the now-suspended authority of the 1798 …

Donald Trump invokes 1798 Alien Enemies Act for deportations. Here’s what it means
Trending News
1 week, 3 days ago

Donald Trump invokes 1798 Alien Enemies Act for deportations. Here’s what it means

Hindustan Times  

President Donald Trump on Saturday invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since World War II, granting himself sweeping powers under a centuries-old law to deport people associated with a Venezuelan gang. The American Civil Liberties Union and Democracy Forward preemptively sued Trump late Friday in federal court in Washington, D.C., saying five Venezuelan men being held at …

Federal Judge Halts Trump's Move To Use Alien Enemies Act To Deport Venezuelans
1 week, 3 days ago

Federal Judge Halts Trump's Move To Use Alien Enemies Act To Deport Venezuelans

ABP News  

A federal judge on Saturday temporarily blocked an effort by US President Donald Trump to use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport suspected members of a Venezuelan gang he has accused of 'unlawfully infiltrating' the country. On Saturday, the Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which gives the president enormous authority to target and remove …

Alien Enemies Act: What to know about 1798 law that Trump has invoked for deportations
1 week, 3 days ago

Alien Enemies Act: What to know about 1798 law that Trump has invoked for deportations

Deccan Chronicle  

President Donald Trump on Saturday invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since World War II, granting himself sweeping powers under a centuries-old law to deport people associated with a Venezuelan gang. Hours later, a federal judge halted deportations under Trump's order.The act is a sweeping wartime authority that allows non-citizens to be deported without being given the …

Federal judge halts Trump's deportation order of alleged Venezuelan gang members under Alien Enemies Act
Top News
1 week, 3 days ago

Federal judge halts Trump's deportation order of alleged Venezuelan gang members under Alien Enemies Act

Firstpost  

Under Trump’s proclamation, all Venezuelan citizens 14 years of age or older who are determined to be members of the gang, are within the United States, and are not naturalized or lawful permanent residents of the country are ’liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies' A federal court temporarily halted any deportations under President Donald Trump’s …

Donald Trump invokes World War II-era law for deportations, faces court challenge
1 week, 3 days ago

Donald Trump invokes World War II-era law for deportations, faces court challenge

Hindustan Times  

President Donald Trump on Saturday invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, citing an alleged Venezuelan gang invasion, to fast-track mass deportations and tighten his immigration crackdown. US President Donald Trump speaks to the press about the conflict in Ukraine before boarding Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base March 14, 2025, in Maryland. In his declaration, Trump argued that …

The Alien Enemies Act: What to know about a 1798 law that Trump has invoked for deportations
1 week, 3 days ago

The Alien Enemies Act: What to know about a 1798 law that Trump has invoked for deportations

Associated Press  

The U.S. deported hundreds of immigrants after President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since World War II, using the sweeping powers of a centuries-old wartime law to target alleged members of a Venezuelan gang. The Alien Enemies Act was created to give the president wide powers to imprison and deport noncitizens in time of …

Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to speed up deportations, judge stalls it hours later
Trending News
1 week, 3 days ago

Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to speed up deportations, judge stalls it hours later

ABC  

US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced he had invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 — a sweeping war authority that would have empowered him to speed up mass deportations on the basis the United States was being "invaded" by a Venezuelan gang. Mr Trump's attempt to invoke the centuries-old act hours earlier was based on the claim that …

The Alien Enemies Act: What to know about a 1798 law that Trump has invoked for deportations
1 week, 3 days ago

The Alien Enemies Act: What to know about a 1798 law that Trump has invoked for deportations

Politico  

His proclamation on Saturday identified Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang as an invading force. The American Civil Liberties Union and Democracy Forward preemptively sued Trump late Friday in federal court in Washington, D.C., saying five Venezuelan men being held at an immigration detention center in Raymondville, Texas, were at “imminent risk of removal” under the Alien Enemies Act. ACLU attorney …

Federal judge blocks Trump's deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members
1 week, 3 days ago

Federal judge blocks Trump's deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members

India Today  

A federal judge on Saturday temporarily blocked any deportations that would occur under President Donald Trump's invocation of a little-used wartime law to expedite the expulsion of alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. In invoking the act, Trump said members of the gang were "conducting irregular warfare and undertaking hostile actions against the United States" with the …

Alien Enemies Act: Trump's latest immigration crackdown explained
1 week, 3 days ago

Alien Enemies Act: Trump's latest immigration crackdown explained

India Today  

President Donald Trump on Saturday invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since World War II, granting himself sweeping powers under a centuries-old law to deport people associated with a Venezuelan gang. The American Civil Liberties Union and Democracy Forward preemptively sued Trump late Friday in federal court in Washington, D.C., saying five Venezuelan men being held at …

Trump invokes 18th-century law to speed deportations, judge stalls it hours later
1 week, 3 days ago

Trump invokes 18th-century law to speed deportations, judge stalls it hours later

The Hindu  

A federal judge on Saturday barred the administration of President Donald Trump from deportations under an 18th-century law that Mr. Trump invoked just hours earlier, asserting the United States was being invaded by a Venezuelan gang and that he had new powers to remove its members from the country. The ruling came hours after Mr. Trump claimed the Venezuelan gang, …

Federal judge halts deportations after Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act
1 week, 4 days ago

Federal judge halts deportations after Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act

Politico  

“Any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the United States however that is accomplished,” Boasberg announced. Trump’s proclamation — which was released by the White House Saturday afternoon but signed Friday — relies on the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which is meant to quickly remove …

Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to declare a gang invasion. A judge stalls deportations
1 week, 4 days ago

Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to declare a gang invasion. A judge stalls deportations

LA Times  

Henry Carmona, right, who says he fled Venezuela after receiving death threats for refusing to participate in demonstrations in support of the government, speaks with a group in February after the Trump administration changed a program that had protected Carmona and other Venezuelans from deportation. A federal judge Saturday barred the Trump administration from deportations under an 18th century law …

Trump to invoke a seldom-used wartime law from 1798 to speed up deportations
1 week, 4 days ago

Trump to invoke a seldom-used wartime law from 1798 to speed up deportations

Live Mint  

WASHINGTON—The Trump administration is planning to invoke a sweeping wartime authority known as the Alien Enemies Act in an effort to speed up deportations, according to an official familiar with the discussions. President Trump is expected to invoke the law through a presidential proclamation as soon as Friday, though the timing could shift, the official said. Though Trump has signaled …

Trump prepares to use controversial 1798 ‘Alien Enemies’ law to speed deportations
1 month ago

Trump prepares to use controversial 1798 ‘Alien Enemies’ law to speed deportations

CNN  

Washington CNN — The Trump administration is preparing to invoke a sweeping wartime authority to speed up the president’s mass deportation pledge, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions. In his inaugural address, President Donald Trump said that he planned to invoke a little-known, 18th-century law, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, as part of his sweeping slate of …

Alien Enemies Act of 1798: What is obscure wartime law Donald Trump wants to use in deportations?
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Alien Enemies Act of 1798: What is obscure wartime law Donald Trump wants to use in deportations?

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. After taking office, Trump ordered military and immigration officials to be ready by 3 …

What is Alien Enemies Act that Trump expected to invoke to speed up deportations?
1 month, 3 weeks ago

What is Alien Enemies Act that Trump expected to invoke to speed up deportations?

Hindustan Times  

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to invoke the Alien Enemies Act as part of his pledge to deport millions of people who are in the country illegally. The Alien Enemies Act was enacted in 1798 to combat spying and sabotage during tensions with France. President Woodrow Wilson used the act to bar citizens of enemies of the United States …

What is the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 that Trump says he will invoke
4 months, 1 week ago

What is the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 that Trump says he will invoke

CNN  

CNN — President-elect Donald Trump has promised to invoke a little-known, 226-year-old law when he returns to power. “I will invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to target and dismantle every migrant criminal network operating on American soil.” Trump has claimed the law will give his administration “tremendous authority” and allow officials to “remove all known or suspected gang …

Explained: What is Alien Enemies Act That Trump Plans to Invoke
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Explained: What is Alien Enemies Act That Trump Plans to Invoke

Deccan Chronicle  

US President-elect Donald Trump during a rally in Colorado in October announced a plan called "Operation Aurora" to remove undocumented immigrants from the country. Trump added that he would invoke the centuries-old act called "Alien Enemies Act of 1798". “We will send elite squads of ICE, Border Patrol and federal law enforcement officers to arrest and deport every last illegal …

Trump’s mass deportation promise is based on a dangerous law that is still on the books.
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Trump’s mass deportation promise is based on a dangerous law that is still on the books.

Slate  

It’s easy to dismiss nativist rhetoric as mere Trumpy “locker room talk.” But when it comes to immigration, deportation, and even detention, rhetoric about foreigners and violent invaders is actually a legal long game. Toward the end of the summer of 2023, Katherine Yon Ebright, counsel in the Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program, noticed that right-wing anti-immigration groups …

"They're animals": Trump vows mass deportation under law used to justify Japanese internment camps
5 months, 2 weeks ago

"They're animals": Trump vows mass deportation under law used to justify Japanese internment camps

Salon  

During a rally in Aurora, Colorado on Friday, Donald Trump vowed to invoke a 1798 law that grants the president the ability to enact a mass deportation scheme. Trump added that he’d send in ICE and Border Patrol squads, and promise local police officers blanket immunity to enact the plan to remove 20 million people which he previously warned would …

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