Donald Trump speaks out

The Supreme Court has allowed the use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798—a rarely invoked law last used during World War II to justify internment camps—for deportations under the Trump administration. The law, originally created during tensions with France, can be used during wartime or foreign invasions and grants the president authority to detain or deport citizens of enemy nations. Recently, it was applied to deport over 250 alleged gang members, including affiliates of Tren de Aragua and MS-13, some of whom were sent to El Salvador’s mega-prison, CECOT.

Though a lower court attempted to block the deportations, the Supreme Court ruled they could proceed, provided those targeted are allowed to challenge their removal through habeas corpus. Both the Trump administration and the ACLU called the decision a victory—Trump for securing swift action on immigration, and the ACLU for preserving detainees’ right to legal challenge. The justices emphasized that due process must still be observed, though the venue for those challenges may change.