A U.S. federal appeals court has upheld a temporary block on the Trump administration’s effort to deport certain Venezuelan nationals under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act—a rarely invoked law dating back to the 18th century. The decision, issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, maintains a lower court’s two-week injunction and signals judicial skepticism over the executive branch’s sweeping interpretation of national security powers in immigration enforcement.
The Trump administration sought to use the Alien Enemies Act to justify the rapid detention and removal of Venezuelans, arguing that the ongoing crisis under President Nicolás Maduro’s regime constituted grounds for applying wartime powers. However, critics say the law—originally designed to target hostile foreign agents during armed conflict—was being repurposed in a way that violated due process protections for migrants, many of whom have fled political repression and economic collapse.
Judge Patricia Millett, writing for the appellate panel, drew a striking historical comparison. She noted that even during World War II, suspected Nazi sympathizers were granted more robust legal protections to contest deportation than those currently being afforded to Venezuelan asylum-seekers. Her opinion emphasized the constitutional need for judicial review, warning that the administration’s approach risks bypassing fundamental legal safeguards.
The ruling represents a significant setback for President Trump’s immigration agenda and may prompt the administration to escalate the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court, where conservatives hold a 6–3 majority. The outcome could determine the scope of executive authority in using antiquated statutes for modern immigration enforcement—especially in cases involving individuals fleeing humanitarian crises rather than posing direct threats to national security.
Legal experts are closely watching the case for its broader implications. If the court ultimately invalidates the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, it could set a precedent limiting the government’s ability to invoke national security to curtail due process. Meanwhile, immigrant advocacy groups have welcomed the ruling, calling it a vital check on executive overreach and a reaffirmation of constitutional protections for vulnerable migrant populations.
