The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against President Donald Trump’s effort to deport Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act, citing the need for proper legal procedures and due process. The decision, which was made in response to an appeal by a group of Venezuelan immigrants, revolved around the alleged illegal immigrants not having enough time to reasonably file a challenge to their deportations. The ruling echoed previous decisions the court has made on similar matters, emphasizing the importance of due process for those facing deportation.
Two justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, dissented from the majority opinion, with Alito expressing concerns about the court’s involvement in determining the specifics of how the law should be applied. The majority opinion stated that the 24-hour notice given to the detainees did not meet the constitutional requirements for due process, and that the case should be sent back to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for further review.
President Trump has previously used the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to expedite the deportation of illegal immigrants, and this ruling represents another blow to his immigration policies. The decision comes a day after the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a case related to birthright citizenship, which is also tied to whether federal judges can block the president’s executive actions. This case is part of a larger trend of legal challenges against Trump’s immigration policies, which have drawn criticism from both supporters and opponents alike.
Other pending emergency appeals include cases related to temporary protected status for Venezuelan migrants, immigrant parole programs, and independent agency member firings. Trump has also faced criticism over his handling of federal workforce-reduction efforts, which were recently added to the list of pending legal challenges. Despite these challenges, Trump has continued to defend his policies, arguing that they are necessary to protect national security and ensure the deportation of illegal immigrants.
Following the ruling, President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express his frustration, stating that the Supreme Court’s decision would not prevent the deportation of criminals from the United States. However, his comments have been met with skepticism, as the ruling clearly outlines the legal shortcomings in the administration’s approach to immigration enforcement.