Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, an 18th-century wartime law, to fast-track mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. The law, originally created to deal with foreign spies and saboteurs, was last used during World War II to justify internment camps for Japanese, German, and Italian citizens. Trump has stated that his primary target will be criminal organizations like Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, which he claims has been operating within the U.S.
The law gives the president the power to detain and deport foreign nationals from countries deemed a threat to the U.S. without court hearings. Under the act, non-naturalized immigrants from certain countries could be labeled as “alien enemies” and removed immediately. Legal experts warn that this move could face intense constitutional challenges, as it would allow for mass deportations without due process.
Trump’s use of the act is part of a broader crackdown on immigration, following his executive order declaring an “invasion” at the southern border. He has also imposed heavy tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China in an attempt to pressure those governments into tightening their own border controls. Critics argue that reviving this law is a dangerous overreach that could set a precedent for racial profiling and mass detentions.
While supporters claim this will expedite deportations and help dismantle criminal networks, opposition from civil rights groups, immigration advocates, and legal experts is already mounting. With past uses of this law tied to controversial internment policies, the decision is likely to spark heated legal and political battles in the coming months.
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