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The order for the enforcement of the Alien Enemies Act was temporarily blocked by a Washington federal judge. The judge, James E Boasberg, mentioned that he blocked the deportation immediately as the Trump administration was already transporting migrants.
US President Donald Trump | Reuters Image
Hours after Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act on Saturday, a first since World War II, a federal judge in Washington blocked the US President from enforcing deportations under 18th-century law.
The Enemies Act gives Trump the power to accelerate the deportation of illegal immigrants, including those linked with Venezuelan gang. In his Saturday proclamation, he labelled Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang as an invading force. Trump claimed that Tren de Aragua was essentially waging war against the United States.
“Over the years, Venezuelan national and local authorities have ceded ever-greater control over their territories to transnational criminal organisations, including TdA,” said an official statement by Trump, as quoted by AP.
“The result is a hybrid criminal state that is perpetrating an invasion of and predatory incursion into the United States, and which poses a substantial danger to the United States,” it added.
Meanwhile, James E Boasberg, chief judge for the US District Court, who restricted the administration from deportations, stated that he had to issue his order immediately as the government was already transporting migrants—who it claimed were newly deportable under Trump’s proclamation—to El Salvador and Honduras for detention. This week, El Salvador also agreed to accept up to 300 migrants whom the Trump administration had classified as gang members.
The judge also mentioned that the temporary blocking order will remain in effect for 14 days “or until further order of the court.”
“I think there’s clearly irreparable harm here given these folks will be deported. A brief delay in their removal does not cause the government any harm,” Boasberg said, according to AP.
While the Trump administration opposed the restraining order, arguing that blocking presidential action before its announcement would limit executive powers, the Justice Department warned that such orders could let district courts hinder vital national security measures.
What Is Alien Enemies Act?
The act is a law meant for wartime or when the US is at risk of invasion by a foreign country. It allows the President to detain or deport foreign nationals from enemy nations during conflicts, particularly recent immigrants who may be viewed as supporting US adversaries.
How Will The Act Affect Immigrants?
With the act coming into effect, the President will have the power to restrict travel or require people to check in with authorities regularly. The act allows Trump to bypass certain immigration and criminal law safeguards, enabling the fast deportation of individuals seen as threats.
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)