Supreme Court Upholds Trump’s Deportation Plan in Narrow 5-4 Ruling

In a contentious 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has greenlit the Trump administration’s use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, sparking fierce debate over due process and national security. The ruling, which allows deportations to continue, mandates that individuals receive notice and the chance to contest their removal through individual habeas petitions, rejecting a class action approach.

The decision stems from the administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown, targeting those labeled as gang members under a February 2025 Foreign Terrorist Organization designation. Critics, including the ACLU, argue the use of a wartime law for peacetime deportations sets a dangerous precedent. Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the liberal dissent, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor warning the majority’s approach risks repeating historical injustices like Japanese internment. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson criticized the court’s reliance on the emergency docket for “monumental” issues.

The ruling follows reports of administrative errors, including the mistaken deportation of a Salvadoran man from Maryland to an El Salvadoran prison, admitted by ICE on March 31. Such missteps have fueled public outcry and legal challenges, with 40 federal court orders blocking parts of Trump’s agenda as of late March. Chief Justice John Roberts recently rebuked calls for judicial impeachment amid the polarized climate.

Supporters of the policy, including administration officials, claim the deportations are critical to curbing alleged gang activity tied to Venezuela’s government. However, opponents warn of eroded civil liberties and rushed legal processes. The ACLU’s Lee Gelernt called the notice requirement a “big victory” but lamented the need to restart court battles. As deportations resume, the ruling underscores deep divisions over immigration policy in a fraught political landscape.