Trump Eyes Rarely Used Alien Enemies Act for Deportation Plans

[Social Media]

 

President Donald Trump is preparing to invoke a little-used law from the 18th century to advance his immigration agenda. The Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a measure originally enacted during the presidency of John Adams, has not been used in over 80 years. The last time it was enforced, during World War II, it led to the internment of Japanese and German individuals, a period widely regarded as a dark chapter in U.S. history.  

 

Trump frequently referenced the act on the campaign trail, particularly in the context of his claims about Venezuelan gangs in Aurora, Colorado. Local officials, however, dismissed his assertions as "grossly exaggerated." Now, with his commitment to mass deportations, Trump has signaled his intent to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, even mentioning it during his inaugural address.  

 

The Alien Enemies Act was part of the broader Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, which were passed as the United States faced tensions with France. Unlike the other acts, which expired in the early 19th century, the Alien Enemies Act remained in U.S. law. It allows the president to authorize the relocation, arrest, or deportation of any male over the age of 14 who is a citizen of a country at war with the U.S. The law was originally created to supplement the Alien Friends Act, which permitted the president to deport any non-citizen deemed a threat to national security.  

 

The first use of the act came during the War of 1812, when President James Madison required British nationals in the U.S. to report personal information, including their occupation, residence, and family details. During World War I, President Woodrow Wilson used it to intern 6,000 German and other foreign nationals. In World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt invoked the law against Japanese, German, and Italian nationals, leading to the internment of thousands of Japanese Americans and requiring foreign nationals from those countries to register with the government.  

 

Trump’s renewed interest in the act comes amid heightened focus on immigration and border security, a central issue in the 2024 election. He has pledged to carry out what he calls "the largest deportation program in American history." He is expected to address the Department of Justice on Friday, emphasizing concerns about the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which he has labeled an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the U.S.  

 

However, legal experts argue that the Alien Enemies Act has historically been used against citizens of nations that have declared war on or invaded the United States. Some Democratic senators have pushed back against Trump's rhetoric, cautioning against using wartime laws to shape immigration policy. They have also pointed out that Congress holds the power to write immigration laws, not the executive branch.  

 

Despite the Trump administration’s strong stance on deportations, data suggests that in its first month, deportation numbers were actually lower than the monthly average under President Joe Biden’s administration. Still, Trump and his allies continue to tout their efforts to ramp up immigration enforcement, raising questions about how and when the Alien Enemies Act might be used in modern times.

 

Based on a report by USA Today  2025-03-17

 

Update:

Trump invokes 18th century law to speed deportations, judge stalls it hours later

Source AP News

 

 

[novacova]

Why would any rational person oppose this, is it because they’re in favor of the criminal left’s program of destruction?

[JAG]

26 minutes ago, novacova said:

Why would any rational person oppose this, is it because they’re in favor of the criminal left’s program of destruction?

Possibly because rational people fairly rapidly realised that Mr Trump's immigration control policies are based on xenophobia and racial hatred. Misusing a law dating from the 1780s, (utterly discredited when last used against Americans of Japanese origins), will allow him to circumvent what feeble efforts Congress may attempt to moderate this racist zeal.

[Tug]

26 minutes ago, novacova said:

Why would any rational person oppose this, is it because they’re in favor of the criminal left’s program of destruction?

It’s simple it’s being misused it’s allready been put on hold by the courts.but don’t worry we and you know trump will use this emotional issue to further divide us,it’s what he does.

[mikeymike100]

"Trump announced on Saturday that he had signed a proclamation declaring that the Tren de Aragua gang was "conducting irregular warfare" against the US and he would deport its members under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

That evening, US District Judge James Boasberg in Washington DC ordered a 14-day halt to deportations covered by Trump's proclamation, pending further legal arguments.

After lawyers told him that planes with deportees had already taken off, Judge Boasberg gave a verbal order for the flights to turn back, US media reported, although that directive did not form part of his written ruling.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-deports-hundreds-venezuelans-despite-140611527.html

 

So they have already landed in El Salvador...good riddance!!!

[SLOWHAND225]

6 minutes ago, Tug said:

It’s simple it’s being misused it’s allready been put on hold by the courts.but don’t worry we and you know trump will use this emotional issue to further divide us,it’s what he does.

He's going to ignore these activist Judges, as he should. 
This will force the SC to address these issues which is great. Regardless of the decision, it will give a clear path forward.

Thats a good thing for Americans 

[novacova]

11 minutes ago, JAG said:

Possibly because rational people fairly rapidly realised that Mr Trump's immigration control policies are based on xenophobia and racial hatred. Misusing a law dating from the 1780s, (utterly discredited when last used against Americans of Japanese origins), will allow him to circumvent what feeble efforts Congress may attempt to moderate this racist zeal.

 

7 minutes ago, Tug said:

It’s simple it’s being misused it’s allready been put on hold by the courts.but don’t worry we and you know trump will use this emotional issue to further divide us,it’s what he does.

Well there you have it folks, the gyrating irrational rationalizing keeping criminal illegal migrants from being deported. The left is at an all time low spiraling further down into the abyss of no return. This is truly fascinating.

[Gsxrnz]

1 minute ago, novacova said:

 

Well there you have it folks, the gyrating irrational rationalizing keeping criminal illegal migrants from being deported. The left is at an all time low spiraling further down into the abyss of no return. This is truly fascinating.

 

I agree. But look at the world from their perspective. Every day for them is now a combined Groundhog and April Fool's Day.

[JonnyF]

Good to see Trump using all the tools and avenues available to him to rid the US of foreign criminals. 

 

He's learnt a lot from the first term. No messing this time. 

[impulse]

Gotta love this response from the President of El Salvador:

 

Bukele posted, “Oopsie…Too late ” over a New York Post headline that reads, “Fed judge orders deportation flights carrying alleged Venezuelan gangbangers to return to US after Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act”

 

Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, for a period of one year (renewable).

 

The United States will pay a very low fee for them, but a high one for us.

 

Win-Win.

[JimGant]

1 hour ago, JAG said:

Mr Trump's immigration control policies are based on xenophobia and racial hatred.

Actually, Trump has used this law to deport over 200 Venezuelan gang members -- which is a good thing, if you're an American. Not exactly xenophobia or racism.... just house-cleaning realpolitik. Yeah, he's a bull in a china shop -- but much of that china needed breaking. Just too bad that, overall -- he's an arrogant buffoon.

[JAG]

29 minutes ago, impulse said:

Gotta love this response from the President of El Salvador:

 

Bukele posted, “Oopsie…Too late ” over a New York Post headline that reads, “Fed judge orders deportation flights carrying alleged Venezuelan gangbangers to return to US after Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act”

 

Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, for a period of one year (renewable).

 

The United States will pay a very low fee for them, but a high one for us.

 

Win-Win.

El Salvador - that shining beacon of human rights, judicial independence and democratic values.

 

With friends like that...

[impulse]

20 minutes ago, JAG said:

El Salvador - that shining beacon of human rights, judicial independence and democratic values.

 

With friends like that...

 

According to TIME magazine, Bukele is (arguably) the most popular leader in the world.  And I think the citizens of El Salvador are pleased with the murder rate dropping from over 100/100K in 2015 to 2.4/100K in 2024.  That's better than 47 of the 50 US states.

 

Ya gotta break a few eggs to make an omelet.

 

[JimGant]

18 minutes ago, JAG said:

El Salvador - that shining beacon of human rights, judicial independence and democratic values.

 

With friends like that...

Hey, sounds like a great replacement for Guantanamo as a place to dump your trash.

[Yagoda]

2 hours ago, JAG said:

Possibly because rational people fairly rapidly realised that Mr Trump's immigration control policies are based on xenophobia and racial hatred. Misusing a law dating from the 1780s, (utterly discredited when last used against Americans of Japanese origins), will allow him to circumvent what feeble efforts Congress may attempt to moderate this racist zeal.

You cant justify that with any rational facts. As to law being misused, as it was by Democratic Party authoritarians, see below.

1 hour ago, Tug said:

It’s simple it’s being misused it’s allready been put on hold by the courts.but don’t worry we and you know trump will use this emotional issue to further divide us,it’s what he does.

We arent divided. Just America haters and Euros upset we are winning.

 

Here is the law kiddies

https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/335/160/

You can cite it as Ludecke V Watkins, 335 US 160 (1948)

[seajae]

once again we see the demented dems crying about gang members being deported, they much prefer these animals to remain in the US killing and raping US citizens, really shows why they lost the election, people realized the far left BS they hang on to is detremental to the US way of life. Really have to wonder why democrats are so hooked on defending illegal immigrants/gang members, why they are defending all the graft/corruption  currently being found by DOGE that has been lining dem pockets or just outright stolen, shows just how pathetic they really are. 

[Purdey]

I missed something. When did Congress declare war on anyone? 

Using a law illegally is opening the door to other illegal actions. What next? Kicking out those of German descent because they were against America in WWII? 

[riclag]

2 hours ago, novacova said:

 

Well there you have it folks, the gyrating irrational rationalizing keeping criminal illegal migrants from being deported. The left is at an all time low spiraling further down into the abyss of no return. This is truly fascinating.

The 29% should be ashamed of themselves!

The best part of goin to El Salvador is …

The enemy of the people don’t have access to they / thems ex newcomers.This should act as a deterrent, FAFO detention,you’ll wish you were dead.

 

The enemy law gives 47 powers to send the terrorist there without fear of

they/ thems relentless attacks by their 

activist pretending to be journalists constant humanitarian propaganda.

 

“SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — The crown jewel of El Salvador’s aggressive anti-crime strategy — a mega-prison where visitation, recreation and education are not allowed — became the latest tool in U.S. President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration on Sunday, when hundreds of immigrants facing deportation were transferred there”.

 

 

https://apnews.com/article/el-salvador-trump-prison-immigrants-4ab3fc3c0474efb308084604b61f8a37#

 

[tai4de2]

I'm loving this. This is exactly the kind of outside the box thinking I hoped we'd get when I pulled the lever for Trump.

 

Well, not so much "pulled the lever" as "marked a box on my voter fraud-facilitating mail-in ballot".

[tai4de2]

6 minutes ago, Purdey said:

I missed something. When did Congress declare war on anyone? 

Using a law illegally is opening the door to other illegal actions. What next? Kicking out those of German descent because they were against America in WWII? 

The law in question doesn't require a state of war.

 

Oh... you probably trusted some slanted media outlet, which conveniently left out the second half of the law's key paragraph?

[JAG]

9 minutes ago, Purdey said:

I missed something. When did Congress declare war on anyone? 

Using a law illegally is opening the door to other illegal actions. What next? Kicking out those of German descent because they were against America in WWII? 

Umh, that would be embarrassing for a certain chap whose family originally hails from lower Bavaria!

[riclag]

16 minutes ago, seajae said:

once again we see the demented dems crying about gang members being deported, they much prefer these animals to remain in the US killing and raping US citizens, really shows why they lost the election, people realized the far left BS they hang on to is detremental to the US way of life. Really have to wonder why democrats are so hooked on defending illegal immigrants/gang members, why they are defending all the graft/corruption  currently being found by DOGE that has been lining dem pockets or just outright stolen, shows just how pathetic they really are. 

Send them to what prisons should be,

hell.

Another benefit of not holding them

in USA prisons , they can’t spread their 

dogma or have country club privileges, so to speak.

[riclag]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

Gotta love this response from the President of El Salvador:

 

Bukele posted, “Oopsie…Too late ” over a New York Post headline that reads, “Fed judge orders deportation flights carrying alleged Venezuelan gangbangers to return to US after Trump invokes Alien Enemies Act”

 

Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, for a period of one year (renewable).

 

The United States will pay a very low fee for them, but a high one for us.

 

Win-Win.

That was pure honey!

 

[Wrwest]

3 hours ago, novacova said:

Why would any rational person oppose this, is it because they’re in favor of the criminal left’s program of destruction?

Because ... "It allows the president to authorize the relocation, arrest, or deportation of any male over the age of 14 who is a citizen of a country at war with the U.S." Thus, not in accord with the law, as pointed out in the Court Injunction forbidding the use of  this as rationale for Trump's action. Flagrant ignoring of the Court Injunction. There are other applicable laws to be used in deporting, especially criminal non-US citizens. That is the reason rational people oppose this breaking of the law by ... Trump.

[Wrwest]

3 hours ago, SLOWHAND225 said:

He's going to ignore these activist Judges, as he should. 
This will force the SC to address these issues which is great. Regardless of the decision, it will give a clear path forward.

Thats a good thing for Americans 

Ignoring Congress passed US law in this case is not a good thing for this American.

[SLOWHAND225]

6 minutes ago, Wrwest said:

Ignoring Congress passed US law in this case is not a good thing for this American.

If you're going to claim it, cite it. Maybe we can all learn.
What law did congress pass that pertains to this ?

 

[impulse]

51 minutes ago, Wrwest said:

Flagrant ignoring of the Court Injunction.

 

As I read it in the right wing press, the 5 deportees that brought suit are still in the USA.   

 

The judge overstepped his remit by including all the other deportees who weren't named in the suit.  Judges can't proactively make rules.  They're only allowed to rule on what's been brought before them.

 

Score another for Team Trump.  Keeping campaign promises.

 

Edit:  I'm open to being corrected.  It is a fast changing story.

 

[impulse]

Mark my words here... 

 

Next, the MSM will blame Trump for the massive increase in auto thefts and carjackings as the TdA and MS13 newcomers arrange their rides back to the border to avoid ending up in El Salvador.

 

[SLOWHAND225]

47 minutes ago, impulse said:

Mark my words here... 

 

Next, the MSM will blame Trump for the massive increase in auto thefts and carjackings as the TdA and MS13 newcomers arrange their rides back to the border to avoid ending up in El Salvador.

 

Don't forget the decreased sales of mexican beer and tacos.
Orange man bad !

 

[thaibeachlovers]

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Good to see Trump using all the tools and avenues available to him to rid the US of foreign criminals. 

 

He's learnt a lot from the first term. No messing this time. 

Also, no one is going to try that stupid Russia hoax on him again, and he isn't surrounded by bad actors like Bolton and Kelly.

 

Whatever laws he needs to use to get the criminals out, just do it.