US judge says Trump can use Alien Enemies Act for deportations

[Landon Caeli]

May 13 (Reuters) - A federal judge in Pennsylvania ruled on Tuesday that the United States can use the Alien Enemies Act to fast-track the deportation of accused Venezuelan gang members, in what appears to be the first court ruling that backs the Trump administration’s interpretation of the 1798 law.

https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-judge-says-trump-can-use-alien-enemies-act-deportations-2025-05-13/

 

[Landon Caeli]

Sweet! Another big win for Trump, and for America.

 

[wing2000]

...Federal judges in 3 other states, as noted in the article, have ruled otherwise. Ultimately, the USSC will have to decide whether Venezuela directed an invasion of the United States.

In her ruling, this judge also noted:
Haines, appointed by Trump during his first term, ruled that the administration must give potential deportees at least 21 days' notice and the opportunity to challenge their removals, to avoid the possibility that people who are not gang members "may be errantly removed from this country."

 

[RocksInMyHead]

In her ruling, this judge also noted:
Haines, appointed by Trump during his first term, ruled that the administration must give potential deportees at least 21 days' notice and the opportunity to challenge their removals, to avoid the possibility that people who are not gang members "may be errantly removed from this country."

This sounds like a better-defined version of the Supreme Court's earlier ruling on the issue (lifting a temporary injunction) which said that the administration could use the Alien Enemies Act, but had to provide "reasonable notice" to anyone being deported under its authority.