President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to invoke a rarely used 18th-century law to accelerate mass deportation. The move would be part of his broader immigration crackdown, a centerpiece of his 2024 campaign.
Sources told CNN that Trump’s team is considering using the Alien Enemies Act, a law from 1798 that grants the president sweeping powers to detain and deport noncitizens from countries deemed hostile. The law, originally passed during a period of tension with France, has rarely been applied in modern history.
Trump has already vowed to launch “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history,” targeting millions of illegal immigrants. His campaign has framed the effort as a national security measure, relaying that the Biden administration allowed record numbers of illegal crossings during their four years.
Enacted under President John Adams, the law was originally designed amid rising tensions with France, allowing the government to take action against foreign nationals deemed a threat to national security. Unlike the other Alien and Sedition Acts, which were later repealed or expired, the Alien Enemies Act remains in effect today under 50 U.S.C. §§ 21-24.
Throughout history, the law has been invoked in times of war. During the War of 1812, it was used to detain and deport British nationals.
In World War I, President Woodrow Wilson utilized it against German citizens living in the U.S. Similarly, in World War II, the law played a role in the internment of Japanese, German, and Italian nationals. While it has not been widely applied in recent history, it was referenced in national security discussions following the 9/11 attacks.
Because its application is tied to a formal state of war, its use is limited, and any modern attempt to expand its scope—such as for immigration enforcement—would likely face legal challenges. While originally crafted in an era of early American conflicts, the law’s broad presidential authority remains a subject of debate.
In January, right after assuming office, the administration declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, deploying troops to secure the border and labeling certain cartel organizations as foreign terrorist organizations. Efforts to end birthright citizenship were also initiated.
A new poll shows that most Americans support President Trump’s immigration policies. His efforts to curb illegal immigration—including increased arrests and deportations of criminal migrants—earned him his highest approval rating among seven policy areas surveyed in a CNN poll released Wednesday.
Trump received a 51% approval rating on immigration, a seven-point increase from any point during his first term.
The main focus is on Tren de Aragua (TDA). TDA is a violent criminal gang that originated in Venezuela and has since expanded its operations across Latin America and beyond. Initially formed in the early 2000s within Venezuela’s Tocorón prison, the gang has grown into a powerful transnational criminal organization involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, and contract killings.
An official announcement, expected potentially by Friday, has seen its timing shift as officials put the finishing touches on the details.
It has to be done to stop violent people from coming into the USA. Use any law that will show illegal immigants that getting in doesn’t guarantee you stay.
Unless you are a Zionist