US court stops Trump's deportations: a victory for the rule of law!

US court stops Trump's deportations: a victory for the rule of law!

On May 1, 2025, US President Donald Trump suffered a decisive defeat in court in relation to the deportations of alleged foreign anti-cartel members. The federal judge Fernando Rodriguez Jr. from Texas said that the deportations were illegal on the basis of a controversial war law from the 18th century. According to [vienna.at] (https://www.vienna.at/us-gericht-stoppte-trumps-trumps-deportation law/9373169), the US government does not have the right to arrest and deport immigrants, citing law. The judgment stops the corresponding deportations for the time being.

Richter Rodriguez, who was appointed during Trump's first term, found that the White House inappropriately expanded the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This law allows the President to have citizens from hostile nations detained and deported without regular procedures. According to ny times, this decision is the most extensive under the current complaints of the government on the application of this law and could have far-reaching effects on other cases.

background of the case

The Trump government relies on the Alien Enemies Act to deport numerous Venezuelans, some of which are accused of being members of the criminal organization Tren de Aragua. This gang is active in drug trafficking, protection and human trafficking. The Venezuelan government rejected the allegations and stated that the allegations were unfounded. Trump had classified the organization as a foreign terrorist organization and argued that it operates "irregular warfare" against the United States. According to States United, the Alien Enemies Act was only used three times in US history: during the war of 1812, in the First World War.

The judgment of judge Rodriguez, which refers to the application of the law in the Southern District of Texas, could have far -reaching consequences for the decision of other courts. The judge made it clear that the executive could not rely on the law in order to detain or deport the named applicants, as this would not be in accordance with the constitutional order.

effects on the Trump administration

The Trump administration continued the deportations despite the judicial orders and sent people to El Salvador, while it did not open their identity or evidence of their alleged crimes. These measures led to several complaints and a number of judicial orders that blocked the deportations. The Supreme Court had already stated that Venezuelans must have the opportunity to contest their deportation.

The Court of Appeal in New Orleans, known for its conservative orientation, could be in the next instance on the decision of the Federal judge Rodriguez. This situation indicates a persistent conflict between the legal and political efforts of the Trump administration, manages through a law that historically applied in very specific war situations.

The court ruling on May 1 underlines the challenges with which the Trump administration is faced with when it tries to apply the Alien Enemies Act in modern immigration policy. Judge Rodriguez ‘Decision raises questions about the rule of law and compliance with the constitution by pointing out that the president does not have the authority to use war powers to circumvent the constitutional rights of individuals.