Judge Blocks Trump Admin's Alien Enemies Act Use for Venezuelan Deportations in Texas

A federal judge in Texas, Fernando Rodriguez Jr., has ruled that the Trump administration cannot use the Alien Enemies Act—an 18th-century wartime law—as a basis to detain or deport Venezuelans in South Texas, even if they are alleged gang members. The judge determined that President Trump’s invocation of the act exceeds its intended scope, emphasizing that the law was historically reserved for military invasions and not for peacetime immigration enforcement. This landmark decision marks the first time a court has permanently blocked the use of the Alien Enemies Act in this context, asserting that Congress never intended the law to be applied in such a manner. The Trump administration’s attempt to use the act followed a presidential proclamation alleging a Venezuelan gang invasion and sought to expedite deportations without standard court proceedings. The ruling also highlighted that the Alien Enemies Act has only been invoked three times in history, most recently during World War II, and is not intended for use against alleged gang members during peacetime. If appealed, the case would proceed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.