Key takeaways from the articles:

• President Trump plans to invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport immigrants without court hearings.
• The Act, primarily used in wartime, allows quick deportation of migrants deemed threats, particularly gang members.
• Legal challenges are anticipated as critics argue the law cannot be used outside of a conflict.

In a decisive move towards solidifying his immigration policy, President Donald Trump aims to leverage the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a law that permits the deportation of foreign nationals deemed a security threat without traditional court proceedings. This strategy marks a significant development in his quest to implement mass deportations, targeting alleged gang members and others linked to criminal activities. The Act allows for swift removals, which Trump believes will assist in achieving his promise to "halt illegal entry" and deport millions, a stance bolstered by rising illegal immigration levels during the Biden administration, as outlined in Trump’s statements following his inauguration on January 20.

The Act enables the president to deport non-citizens from nations at war with the United States, a contentious application that may redefine the interpretation of "invasion" in immigration context. Present-day discussions have seen Republican leaders portraying illegal immigration as an invasion, a narrative repeatedly echoed by White House officials. Recently, Trump ordered the expansion of detention facilities, including a site in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, capable of accommodating up to 30,000 individuals, further indicating his commitment to stringent immigration measures.

Despite the ambitious plans, Trump's administration faces potential legal hurdles. Advocates for immigrant rights, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), argue that the Alien Enemies Act cannot be invoked merely to enhance immigration enforcement, emphasizing that families seeking refuge should not be categorized as threats in accordance with the law. Lee Gelernt, an ACLU attorney, stated, “Desperate families coming to our borders do not constitute an invasion by a foreign government.” Legal experts anticipate that Trump's implementation of the Act would likely ignite numerous challenges in court.

Congressional opposition has also emerged, with Democratic lawmakers reintroducing legislation aimed at repealing the Alien Enemies Act. Representative Ilhan Omar stressed the necessity of eliminating outdated laws that foster discrimination against immigrant communities. In their view, the law, which has historical roots in the internment of various ethnic groups during past wars, poses a significant risk to civil rights.

Given the current climate, the practical implications of Trump's strategy remain uncertain. The U.S. immigration system is notoriously bogged down by a backlog of approximately 3.6 million cases, complicating mass deportation efforts. John Sandweg, the former acting director of ICE, expressed skepticism regarding the feasibility of Trump’s plans without an alternative approach to bypass the overwhelmed immigration courts. He remarked, “Unless he figures out a way to bypass the immigration courts, mass deportation is an impossibility.” Furthermore, data shows that, despite Trump's strong immigration rhetoric, his previous term resulted in fewer deportations compared to his predecessor, Barack Obama, indicating the challenges ahead.

According to Reuters, Trump's commitment to utilizing the Alien Enemies Act reflects a broader strategy of national security through immigration enforcement, framing drug cartels and gangs as terrorist organizations. This narrative highlights a critical ideological battle regarding immigration in the U.S., one that intertwines national security with the administration's broader policy goals.

USA Today has reported similar sentiments from Trump, emphasizing his intention to activate substantial federal resources to tackle illegal immigration aggressively.