Washington — On Friday, the Trump administration sought intervention from the Supreme Court to overturn lower court decisions that have halted the deportation of suspected Venezuelan gang members under the wartime Alien Enemies Act.
The Justice Department requested emergency relief shortly after a federal appeals court in Washington denied the administration’s attempt to resume deportations of individuals linked to the Tren de Aragua gang back to El Salvador using wartime powers.
Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris stated, “This case raises essential questions regarding authority in handling sensitive national-security operations in our country — whether this authority lies with the President via Article II, or with the Judiciary through [temporary restraining orders]. The Constitution provides a clear answer: it lies with the President. The republic cannot afford another outcome.”
The Supreme Court has directed attorneys for five Venezuelan nationals who contested the government’s actions to respond to the Justice Department’s plea by April 1.
