Supreme Court Backs Trump’s Use of Wartime Law to Deport Alleged Gang Members
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Monday to let the Trump administration move forward with deporting alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law rarely used in modern times. The court didn’t decide whether Trump’s use of the law is valid—only that the legal challenge against it was filed in the wrong court. The justices emphasized, however, that detainees must be notified and given a chance to challenge their removal in the correct venue, which is Texas, not District of Columbia.
The American Civil Liberties Union, representing the deportees, says the ruling is still a win. “The critical point is that the Supreme Court said individuals must be given due process to challenge their removal under the Alien Enemies Act,” said ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing for the dissent, slammed the majority’s decision as rushed and dangerous, warning it could cause “life or death consequences” for those deported without a fair hearing.
Trump celebrated the decision, calling it “a great day for justice in America.” His administration had already deported more than 130 Venezuelan men—many without criminal records—to El Salvador, saying they were part of a violent criminal organization. Critics argue the move stretches the limits of presidential power and bypasses long-standing legal protections. The Supreme Court’s ruling allows the deportations to continue for now, but the broader fight over the law’s use is far from over.
