First judge approves Trump invoking Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans

SUMMARY

In a landmark ruling, U.S. District Judge Stephanie Haines has upheld President Trump’s authority to invoke the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to deport members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the administration. While several other federal judges ruled the AEA couldn't be used outside wartime invasions, Haines disagreed, writing: “My unflagging obligation is to apply the law as written.” Her decision lifts a previous block on deportations in Pennsylvania, allowing removals to proceed—with a 21-day notice in English and Spanish. The 1798 law has only been used during wartime—until now. Trump used it in March to swiftly deport over 100 illegal aliens to a Salvadoran megaprison. The ACLU is appealing to the Supreme Court, warning of legal chaos as rulings diverge across states. But for now, the Trump administration has its first judicial green light to move forward.