Trump invokes 18th century law to speed deportations, judge stalls it hours later - The Associated Press

Trump Invokes 18th Century Law to Expedite Deportations, Judge Stalls Action Hours Later – The Associated Press
A controversial legal maneuver by former President Donald Trump, invoking a seldom-used 18th-century law aimed at swiftly deporting certain individuals, faced an immediate challenge in the courts. The move, intended to dramatically accelerate the deportation process, was swiftly met with a restraining order from a federal judge just hours after its implementation, highlighting the ongoing legal battles surrounding immigration policy. The Associated Press first reported the development, setting off a flurry of legal analysis and public debate.
The law in question, dating back to 1798 – a period of heightened tensions with France – grants the executive branch significant authority over “alien enemies” during times of war or declared national emergency. Legal scholars have long debated its applicability in modern contexts, especially regarding immigration enforcement. Its original intent was to deal with potential threats from citizens of hostile nations, not to streamline general deportation processes. The Alien and Sedition Acts, of which this law is a part, have been criticized historically for their broad reach and potential for abuse.
Key Developments rapidly unfolded. Trump, citing concerns about violent criminal activity by undocumented immigrants, particularly members of transnational gangs, activated provisions within the 1798 law. The administration argued this action was necessary to protect national security and maintain public order. However, a coalition of civil rights groups immediately filed suit, arguing that the application of the law was unconstitutional and violated due process rights. Within hours, a district judge issued a temporary restraining order, effectively halting the implementation of the new policy while the legal challenge proceeds.
The implications of this legal battle are significant. Should the courts ultimately uphold the Trump administration's interpretation of the 18th-century law, it could set a precedent for future executives to wield broad powers over immigration enforcement. "If this law is broadly interpreted, it could pave the way for expedited deportations without the usual due process protections," commented immigration law professor Dr. Anya Sharma. Conversely, a ruling against the administration would reaffirm the limits of executive power in immigration matters. The case could also reignite a broader debate about the balance between national security concerns and individual rights.
This legal challenge is certain to be protracted, with appeals potentially reaching the Supreme Court. The outcome will not only determine the fate of the current deportation policy, but also shape the legal landscape surrounding immigration enforcement for years to come. Regardless of the eventual ruling, the case underscores the deeply divisive nature of immigration policy and the continuing legal scrutiny faced by any administration seeking to alter existing procedures. The Associated Press will continue to provide updates as this critical case progresses.
Comments
Please to add a comment.
Advertisements
Recommended for You

Trump administration deports hundreds of immigrants even as a judge orders their removals be stopped - The Associated Press
Trump Administration Deports Hundreds of Immigrants Despite Court Order A legal firestorm has erupted after reports surfaced that the previous Trump administrat

What to know about El Salvador's mega-prison after Trump sent hundreds of immigrants there - The Associated Press
What to Know About El Salvador's Mega-Prison After Trump Sent Hundreds of Immigrants There - The Associated Press The recent transfer of hundreds of immigrants

Trump orders strikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and issues new warning to Iran - The Associated Press
Trump Orders Strikes on Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels in Yemen Escalating Tensions and Issuing Stark Warning to Iran Washington D.C. – In a dramatic escalation of t

Schumer to advance GOP funding bill, unwilling to risk government shutdown as deadline nears - The Associated Press
Schumer to Advance GOP Funding Bill Averting Potential Government Shutdown as Deadline Nears Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is set to advance a Republican

Trump administration deports hundreds of migrants, despite judge’s order stopping removal - The Associated Press
Trump Administration Deports Hundreds of Migrants Despite Judge’s Order Halting Removals The Trump administration in its final days reportedly deported hundreds

Trump has ordered airstrikes against rebels in Yemen. Here’s why - The Associated Press
Trump Orders Airstrikes Against Rebels in Yemen: Here's Why The Associated Press In a sudden escalation of tensions in the Middle East former President Donald T

'Scum,' 'crooked' elections and 'corrupt' media. What Trump said inside the Justice Department - The Associated Press
'Scum' 'Crooked' Elections and 'Corrupt' Media: What Trump Said Inside the Justice Department - The Associated Press The setting was unprecedented the rhetoric

Senate works to avert partial government shutdown ahead of midnight deadline - The Associated Press
Senate Works to Avert Partial Government Shutdown Ahead of Midnight Deadline - The Associated Press Washington D.C. – With the clock ticking down to a crucial m

Venezuelan Families Fear for Relatives as Trump Celebrates Deportations to El Salvador - The New York Times
Venezuelan Families Fear for Relatives as Trump Celebrates Deportations to El Salvador News of deportations from the United States to El Salvador coupled with f

Trump Sends Hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador in Face of Judge’s Order - The New York Times
Trump Administration Defies Court Transfers Hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador The Trump administration in its waning days has reportedly moved forward with

Trump Administration Live Updates: Hundreds of Venezuelans Sent to El Salvador in Face of Judge’s Order - The New York Times
Trump Administration Live Updates: Hundreds of Venezuelans Sent to El Salvador Despite Judge’s Restraining Order The Trump Administration has reportedly expedit

Tornadoes, wildfires and blinding dust sweep across U.S. as massive storm leaves at least 32 dead - The Associated Press
Tornadoes Wildfires and Blinding Dust Sweep Across U.S. as Massive Storm Leaves At Least 32 Dead A powerful and devastating storm system has unleashed a wave of

At least 26 dead in massive US storm after Kansas reports 8 fatalities - The Associated Press
Midwest Reels as Massive Storm System Leaves At Least 26 Dead Kansas Reports Devastating 8 Fatalities A powerful and relentless storm system has carved a path o

Trump invokes sweeping wartime authority to target members of Venezuelan gang - CNN
Trump Invokes Wartime Powers Against Venezuelan Gang Raising Legal and Ethical Questions In a move that has ignited intense debate former President Donald Trump

Monster storm across the US sparks scores of tornadoes and fire, killing at least 17 - The Associated Press
Monster Storm Across the US Sparks Scores of Tornadoes and Fire Killing At Least 17 A ferocious weather system has unleashed unprecedented devastation across th

Monster storm across the US sparks threat of tornadoes and fire, killing at least 17 - The Associated Press
Monster Storm Grips US Unleashing Tornadoes Fires and Devastation Death Toll Climbs to At Least 17 A powerful expansive weather system is currently wreaking hav

Monster storm across the US sparks threat of tornadoes and fire, killing at least 16 - The Associated Press
Monster Storm Sweeps Across the US Unleashing Tornadoes Fires and Claiming Lives A ferocious weather system has carved a destructive path across the United Stat

Trump Administration Live Updates: Order Aims to Gut 7 Agencies, Including Overseer of Voice of America - The New York Times
Trump Administration Live Updates: Executive Action Targets Federal Agencies Including Voice of America Overseer The Trump Administration is once again making h

Trump Administration Highlights: Senate Approves Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown - The New York Times
Senate Approves Spending Bill Averting Government Shutdown: Trump Administration Highlights Washington D.C. - In a move that prevented a looming government shut
Trump Administration Live Updates: Senate Approves Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown - The New York Times
Trump Administration Live Updates: Senate Approves Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown Washington D.C. – In a crucial move to sidestep a potential fiscal

Trump speaks at DOJ as funding bill to avoid shutdown goes to Senate - CNN
Tensions High as Senate Considers Funding Bill Amid Trump's DOJ Appearance Washington D.C. – The nation teeters on the brink of a potential government shutdown

Democrats to decide: Shut down government or side with Trump - The Washington Post
Democrats Face a Fiscal Cliff: Shutdown Showdown Looms as Funding Deadline Approaches The clock is ticking on Capitol Hill as Democrats grapple with a monumenta

Trump administration ignores judge's order to turn deportation planes around: Sources - ABC News
Trump Administration Defied Court Order Refused to Turn Deportation Planes Around: ABC News Sources The Trump administration reportedly defied a federal judge's
Trump Administration Live Updates: Latest Executive Order and Federal Worker News - The New York Times
Trump Administration Live Updates: Latest Executive Order and Federal Worker News - The New York Times The political landscape continues to shift as the former

Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act Regarding the Invasion of The United States by Tren De Aragua - The White House
White House Considers Invocation of Alien Enemies Act Amid Concerns Over Tren De Aragua's Activities in the United States The White House is reportedly consider

Trump Administration Live Updates: Government Shutdown and Senate News - The New York Times
Government Shutdown Looms as Senate Weighs Trump-Backed Funding Bill: Live Updates from Washington The specter of a government shutdown hangs heavy over Washing
Live updates: Senate plans vote on Trump-backed bill to avert government shutdown - The Washington Post
Senate Gears Up for Crucial Vote on Trump-Endorsed Spending Measure to Avoid Government Shutdown: Live Updates Washington D.C. – With the clock ticking down to

Senate to vote on bill to avert government shutdown ahead of midnight deadline - CNN
Senate Races Against Clock to Prevent Government Shutdown Ahead of Midnight Deadline - CNN Washington D.C. - With the specter of a partial government shutdown l
Senate Moves Toward Critical Vote to Avert Government Shutdown as Schumer Relents - The New York Times
Senate Edges Closer to Government Funding Deal as Schumer Signals Concession Washington D.C. – The specter of a government shutdown loomed large over Capitol Hi

Tornado Outbreak Ongoing: Strong Tornadoes, Damaging Wind Gusts, Large Hail Likely Today In The South - The Weather Channel
Tornado Outbreak Ongoing: Severe Weather Threatens the South with Strong Tornadoes Damaging Winds and Large Hail A significant weather event continues to unfold
Second federal judge orders temporary reinstatement of thousands of probationary employees fired by the Trump administration - CNN
Second Federal Judge Orders Temporary Reinstatement of Thousands Fired Under Trump Administration Washington D.C. - The legal battle surrounding the mass firing

Schumer Says He’ll Vote for GOP Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown - The New York Times
Schumer Says He'll Vote for GOP Spending Bill to Avert Government Shutdown: Averting Crisis in Washington Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced he

Opinion | Chuck Schumer: Why Democrats Must Not Allow the Government to Shut Down - The New York Times
Opinion Chuck Schumer: Why Democrats Must Not Allow the Government to Shut Down – The New York Times Signals a Crucial Choice for Lawmakers The prospect of a g

Opinion | Chuck Schumer: Trump and Musk Would Love a Shutdown. We Must Not Give Them One. - The New York Times
Schumer Warns Against Shutdown Accuses Trump and Musk of Hoping for One Washington D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has issued a stark warning urging

Accused gang members deported to El Salvador get harsh reception - NewsNation Now
Accused Gang Members Deported to El Salvador Face Uncertain Future Harsh Reception – NewsNation Now The U.S. government's policy of deporting individuals with a

Exclusive: How the White House ignored a judge's order to turn back deportation flights - Axios
Exclusive: How the White House Ignored a Judge's Order to Turn Back Deportation Flights - Axios The Trump administration faced increasing scrutiny as reports su
Monday Briefing: U.S. Deports Hundreds in Face of a Court Order - The New York Times
Monday Briefing: U.S. Deports Hundreds Despite Legal Challenge Raising Questions on Executive Power The United States government proceeded with the deportation

Exclusive: How the White House defied a judge's order to turn back deportation flights - Axios
Exclusive: How the White House Defied a Judge's Order to Turn Back Deportation Flights – Axios A controversial episode from the previous administration is resur

Live updates: The latest on Trump’s presidency | CNN Politics - CNN
Live Updates: Examining the Ongoing Legacy of Trump’s Presidency CNN Politics - CNN The reverberations of the Trump presidency continue to shape the American p

Trump administration deports hundreds under sweeping wartime authority despite judge’s pause - CNN
Trump Administration Deports Hundreds Under Wartime Authority Defying Judge’s Pause: CNN Reports Despite a judge's order to halt removals the Trump administrati

Trump blocked from using Alien Enemies Act for deportations - BBC.com
Trump Blocked from Deploying Alien Enemies Act for Deportations: Legal Challenge Succeeds Former President Donald Trump's attempts to utilize a controversial an

US deports hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador despite court order - BBC.com
US Deports Hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador Defying Court Mandate A legal storm is brewing as the United States proceeded to deport hundreds of Venezuelan

Tracking Trump: The trade war, Ukraine and U.S. strikes against Houthis - Axios
Tracking Trump: Echoes of the Past in Trade Ukraine and U.S. Strikes Against Houthis – An Axios Analysis Donald Trump’s influence on current geopolitical events
Death toll grows to 33 as destructive storms and violent tornadoes obliterate the South and Midwest - New York Post
Death Toll Grows to 33 as Destructive Storms and Violent Tornadoes Obliterate the South and Midwest The heartland of America is reeling from a catastrophic weat

Trump orders ‘decisive, powerful’ attacks against Yemen’s Houthis - Al Jazeera English
Trump Orders ‘Decisive Powerful’ Attacks Against Yemen’s Houthis Escalating Regional Tensions Washington D.C. - In a move that has sent ripples across the Middl

Fierce Storms Spawning Tornadoes Kill at Least 18 - The New York Times
Fierce Storms Spawning Tornadoes Kill at Least 18 Across Multiple States: A New York Times Report A wave of severe weather has swept across the central and sout

Fierce Storms Kill at Least 18 as Tornadoes Batter the South and Midwest - The New York Times
Fierce Storms Kill at Least 18 as Tornadoes Batter the South and Midwest: A Nation Grapples with Devastation A string of powerful tornadoes has ripped through t

Trump blocked from using Alien Enemies Act for mass deportations - BBC.com
Court Blocks Trump's Attempt to Utilize Alien Enemies Act for Mass Deportations Former President Donald Trump’s efforts to invoke the Alien Enemies Act for mass

Monster storm pummeling central and southern US sparks tornadoes and fire, killing at least 18 - The Mercury News
Monster Storm Unleashes Fury on Central and Southern US Claiming at Least 18 Lives - The Mercury News A devastating outbreak of severe weather has gripped the c

Donald Trump launches wave of air strikes on Yemen's Houthis - BBC.com
Donald Trump Launches Wave of Air Strikes on Yemen's Houthis Escalating Regional Tensions In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East former Pres