U.S. Appeals Court Judge Questions Trump’s Use of 18th-Century Law for Deporting Venezuelans

A U.S. appeals court judge compared treatment of Nazis during WWII to the Trump administration's deportation of Venezuelan migrants, raising concerns over the use of the Alien Enemies Act. The ruling contested the government's use of this 18th-century law, asserting a need for due process in deportation cases.

A U.S. appeals court judge has raised serious concerns about the treatment of Venezuelan migrants deported by the Trump administration. The judge noted that even Nazis were afforded more rights to contest their removal from the United States during World War II.

In a heated exchange, U.S. Circuit Judge Patricia Millett asked government lawyer Drew Ensign whether Venezuelans had adequate opportunity to challenge their deportation under the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely used 18th-century law.

The Trump administration sought to overturn a two-week deportation ban imposed by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who argued for the necessity of due process for those alleged to have gang affiliations.