The Alien Enemies Act is an 18th-century law (1798) allowing the government to detain and deport non-citizens from countries with which the U.S. is at war or during times of national emergency. The Trump administration sought to use this act to quickly deport Venezuelan migrants, arguing they were a threat, but the Supreme Court has now temporarily blocked such actions, citing due process concerns.

The Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, found that the government did not provide detainees with enough time or information to contest their deportations. Justices emphasized the need for detainees to have a reasonable opportunity to challenge their removals in court, criticizing the administration for giving only 24 hours’ notice without adequate details.

The Supreme Court remanded the case to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to further examine what type of notice and time the government must provide migrants to challenge their deportations and to clarify due process requirements. No further deportations can proceed under the act until these legal questions are resolved.

Donald Trump, responding on Truth Social, condemned the ruling, stating it protects criminals and undermines national security. The administration had previously argued that the individuals targeted were foreign terrorists.

The main dissenters in the 7-2 decision were Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. They disagreed with the majority’s decision to block the use of the Alien Enemies Act for deportations and allow further legal challenges.