The **United States Supreme Court** once again rejected, on Friday, May 16, a request from the **Trump administration** to allow the expulsion of **Venezuelan immigrants** under an exceptional law. This rejection highlights the ongoing tension between the executive branch and the judiciary regarding immigration policies.
“The United States Supreme Court does not let me do what I was elected for,” complained Donald Trump in response. He asserted that, “This decision will result in letting more criminals enter our country, which will seriously harm our dear American fellow citizens.” The president expressed frustration, noting that “To expel them from our country, we will have to go through a long and tedious process.”
Multiple courts, along with federal appellate courts—and even the Supreme Court itself, on April 19—had already blocked the application of the **Alien Enemies Act**, a law established in 1798, until now primarily utilized during wartime. The courts reasoned that individuals slated for expulsion must be allowed to assert their legal rights.
Donald Trump invoked this controversial legislation in a presidential declaration issued on March 15, targeting the **Venezuelan gang Tren of Aragua**, which Washington has designated a **”terrorist organization”**. This declaration coincided with the expulsion of around 250 individuals, primarily Venezuelans accused of gang affiliations. Notably, over half were expelled under the provisions of the **1798 law**.
The Case Referred to a Federal Court of Appeal
In its Friday ruling, the Supreme Court, with a vote of seven justices—comprising four conservatives and three progressives—extended the ban established on April 19. The Court referred the case to a federal court of appeal to decide on the **legality** of employing this law and the circumstances under which the affected individuals might contest their deportation.
In total, approximately **300 immigrants** were expelled to **El Salvador**, where they face confinement in a high-security prison notorious for its harsh detention conditions. This raises serious concerns regarding human rights and the treatment of deported individuals, sparking protests and legal challenges from various advocacy groups.