Trump Uses 200-Year-Old Law to Fight Criminal Gangs—What Happens Next?
In a surprising legal move, Donald Trump has turned to the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to combat Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang accused of murder, drug trafficking, and extortion. This rarely used law gives the president wartime powers to detain and deport foreign nationals considered a threat.
Authorities have already arrested 214 gang members, and nearly 300 others will be deported to El Salvador, where they will be placed in high-security prisons. The move is seen as a major escalation in efforts to secure U.S. borders and crack down on organized crime.
Supporters argue this is a necessary step to protect American communities, while critics worry about legal and human rights concerns. A judge has already halted some deportations, questioning whether this law should apply in peacetime.
As this legal battle unfolds, one question remains—will this reshape how America handles criminal gangs and immigration?