• A federal appeals court blocked Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants linked to the Tren de Aragua gang.
• The court found no evidence of an "invasion" or "predatory incursion" to justify the act's invocation.
• This decision represents a significant legal setback for the Trump administration's immigration policies.
• The ruling may set a precedent as it could be cited in other jurisdictions across the U.S.
• The case may ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court for final resolution.

A federal appeals court ruled that President Trump unlawfully invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite the deportation of Venezuelans accused of being affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that the current situation does not fulfill the necessary criteria of an "invasion" or "predatory incursion," as defined by the statute, which has historically only been used during declared wars, according to Reuters, CBS News, and NPR.

The court's 2-1 decision blocked Trump's immigration plans, which involved sending alleged gang members to El Salvador, where conditions in prisons have raised human rights concerns. “A country’s encouraging its residents and citizens to enter this country illegally is not the modern-day equivalent of sending an armed, organized force,” the judges stated, emphasizing that the activities of Tren de Aragua do not constitute a national threat as defined by law, according to India Times and Newsweek.

The ruling from the conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court represents a significant judicial pushback against Trump's broad immigration policies, marking a historical moment as this is the first time a federal appellate court evaluated the use of the Alien Enemies Act in these circumstances. Judge Leslie Southwick, who wrote the majority opinion, stated that the law was intended for wartime use only, reinforcing that the Trump administration's legal basis for these deportations was weak, according to The Hill, TRT Global, and Al Jazeera.

The Trump administration could appeal the decision to the full 5th Circuit or directly to the U.S. Supreme Court, as legal experts suggest this ruling could set a precedent that affects immigration enforcement nationwide. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson emphasized that the administration anticipates being vindicated, arguing that the president must retain authority over matters of national security, as outlined in the Alien Enemies Act, according to Los Angeles Times and Al Jazeera.