US Supreme Court blocks Trump's effort to deport Venezuelan migrants under Alien Enemies Act

​​​​​​​WASHINGTON

The US Supreme Court on Friday blocked President Donald Trump from deporting Venezuelan immigrants in northern Texas under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.

The unsigned opinion, with justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissenting, criticized the administration’s deportation notices, which gave detainees 24 hours and little guidance on contesting removal.

Citing the mistaken deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, the justices said detainees face “particularly weighty” risks, especially when the government cannot reverse wrongful removals.

The ruling sends the case back to the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, which had dismissed a challenge by the migrants.

The Alien Enemies Act has historically been used only during wartime, most recently for the notorious internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.