A US federal court has temporarily blocked United States President Donald Trump from using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged members of a Venezuelan gang.
The move has sparked legal and political controversy, as the Trump administration argues that the US is facing an “invasion” justifying the use of a wartime-era law.
What is the Alien Enemies Act?
The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 is one of the oldest US laws concerning national security and immigration. It was originally enacted alongside other Alien and Sedition Acts during heightened tensions between the US and France.
The law grants the president the authority to detain or deport nationals of foreign nations deemed hostile, without the need for court proceedings.
Historically, the law has been used only during periods of declared war. It was invoked during the War of 1812, World War I and World War II to detain or deport noncitizens from enemy countries, including Germans, Austro-Hungarians, Italians and Japanese.
The law played a role in the controversial internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II.
While its application has been limited to wartime, the law allows the president to take action if the US is facing a “declared war” or an “invasion” or “predatory incursion” by a foreign power. Legal experts argue that this distinction is crucial in determining whether Trump’s recent invocation of the law is justified.
Content retrieved from: https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/us-donald-trump-alien-enemies-act-deportation-court-blocked-explained-13871980.html.
