WASHINGTON, USA — U.S. Supreme Court don allow President Donald Trump make use of the seldom-invoked wartime powers to quickly deport alleged members of Venezuelan gangs, for now. This ruling follow one wey lower court block deportations of alleged gang members to El Salvador on March 15, insisting that action under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act need plenty scrutiny.
For the court’s 5-4 decision, the justices emphasize say deportees must get chance to challenge their deportation. “The notice must be given within a reasonable time and in such a way wey go allow them to seek habeas relief in the right venue before removal happen,” dem write for the unsigned decision on Monday.
Trump don claim say this ruling na win for him administration, arguing that these migrants belong to the Tren de Aragua gang wey dey conduct ‘irregular warfare’ against the U.S. Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wey take action on behalf of five of the migrants challenge the deportation, say the ruling still dey important for protecting due process rights.
Sections of the court, especially conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, join notable dissent from the three liberal justices, wey insist say the government behaviour during this case dey pose serious threat to the rule of law. “The government’s conduct in this litigation poses an extraordinary threat to the rule of law,” expressed Justice Sonia Sotomayor, raising serious concern for due process.
According to the statistics, at least 137 people don already face deportation under the Alien Enemies Act during Trump administration. This Act, wey last used during World War Two, give U.S. president wide powers for the detention and deportation of citizens from countries wey dey considered “enemy” without going through normal process. The law became part of a series of laws enacted in 1798 over fears of a potential war with France.
The Trump administration dey insist say all deportees dey part of Tren de Aragua group, wey don dey accused of serious crimes like sex trafficking and drug smuggling. Immigration officials don claim say those wey dem detain and deport are carefully vetted and confirmed as gang members before their deportation to El Salvador.
Despite these claims, some relatives of those deported don report say their loved ones innocent and wrongly target because of their tattoos, while many of the deportees no get U.S. criminal records.
The decision wey come from the Supreme Court don reverse earlier ruling from Judge James Boasberg, wey block removal efforts for the deportation, saying the government responses were inadequate. The White House don criticize Boasberg’s decision, declaring am unlawful. The case wey start back for March 15, came when Trump sign order wey aim to remove individuals associated with the Venezuelan gang.
As part of this ongoing legal drama, the deportation flights don continue despite court orders halting them, indicating a conflict in the interpretation of legal authority by the Trump administration. The court’s ruling makes it clear that going forward, deportees under the Alien Enemies Act must be informed and given a valid opportunity to challenge their removal.
Lee Gelernt, lead attorney from the ACLU, describe the ruling as “a big victory” for due process, stating, “We are disappointed we will need to start the court process over again, but the critical point is that the Court rejected the government’s remarkable position.” Meanwhile, Trump responds to the ruling on social media, call am “a great day for justice in America,” asserting that it upholds the rule of law and border security.
