So, a federal judge in New York just shut down Donald Trump’s attempt to use an old, extreme law to deport immigrants without giving them a fair chance to defend themselves. The law is called the Alien Enemies Act, and it’s from way back in 1798—back when the U.S. was worried about wars with other countries. The law was supposed to let the president detain or deport people from nations we were officially at war with. But here’s the thing: we’re not at war right now.
Trump’s team was trying to argue that the huge number of migrants coming into the U.S. was like an “invasion”—even calling it the “greatest invasion in history.” They claimed there were dangerous gang members mixed in, so they needed to use this emergency wartime power to kick people out fast, without going through normal court hearings.
But the judge, Alvin Hellerstein, wasn’t having it. He basically said: Hold on, that’s not how this works. The U.S. was founded on the idea that everyone—citizens and immigrants alike—has basic rights, like the right to a fair legal process. You can’t just lock people up or deport them without giving them a chance to explain their situation.
He also pointed out something really disturbing: earlier this year, the government had already sent over 200 people to a high-security prison in El Salvador, many with no real way to challenge their deportation. If it weren’t for judges stepping in to block it, even more people could’ve been shipped out the same way.
This isn’t the first time courts have pushed back. Another judge in Colorado recently said the same thing—that Trump’s use of this law doesn’t make sense—but we’re still waiting for a final ruling there.
The big takeaway? Trump’s team tried to use a loophole from the 1700s to bypass modern legal protections, and judges are saying no way. It’s a reminder that even the president doesn’t get to ignore the rules—especially when people’s freedom is on the line.
