An Unprecedented Legal Battle Over Trump’s Use of the Alien Enemies Act
Introduction
In a dramatic series of events unfolding over the weekend, the Trump administration found itself in the midst of an extraordinary legal confrontation. At the center of the storm was the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, a centuries-old wartime law, to deport hundreds of immigrants, primarily Venezuelans, to a prison in El Salvador. This situation involved intense legal maneuverings, last-minute court interventions, and even a provocative social media exchange involving a Central American leader who refers to himself as the “world’s coolest dictator.” This summary delves into the timeline of events, the legal challenges, and the broader implications of this unprecedented showdown.
The Legal Challenge and Initial Actions
Early on Saturday, March 15, two prominent legal advocacy groups, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Democracy Forward, took swift action. They filed a lawsuit on behalf of five Venezuelan immigrants detained in immigration facilities who feared being falsely labeled as members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and subsequently deported under the Alien Enemies Act. Anticipating the Trump administration’s move to invoke this 18th-century law, the plaintiffs sought urgent legal recourse to prevent their deportation.
In response, Judge James E. Boasberg of the District Court for the District of Columbia stepped in, issuing a temporary restraining order at 9:40 a.m., halting the deportation of the five plaintiffs. He scheduled a hearing for 5 p.m. to consider expanding the order. The Trump administration swiftly appealed this decision, signaling the beginning of a high-stakes legal battle.
The Race Against Time: Deportation Flights and Court Proceedings
As the day progressed, the situation escalated rapidly. By approximately 4 p.m., the White House officially posted the order invoking the Alien Enemies Act, setting the stage for potential deportations. At 5 p.m., Judge Boasberg convened the scheduled hearing, pressing the government attorney, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign, on whether deportations were imminent. Ensign responded that he was unaware of any specific plans but requested time to confirm. This uncertainty led Boasberg to recess the hearing, granting Ensign about 40 minutes to gather information.
Meanwhile, activists tracking deportation flights noticed two planes departing from Harlingen, Texas, near the Mexico border, at 5:26 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. These flights were believed to be carrying deportees. The ACLU promptly alerted the court to this development, heightening the urgency of the situation. Upon reconvening at about 5:55 p.m., Ensign still had no specific information, prompting Boasberg to issue a verbal order to prevent any immediate deportations. His directive required any plane carrying the protected individuals to return to the United States.
The Aftermath: Compliance and Defiance
By 6:45 p.m., Boasberg’s written order was released, effective for 14 days, ensuring that the immigrants under its protection remained in U.S. custody. However, the situation took a complex turn as some flights had already departed. At 7:26 p.m., one plane landed in Honduras, while another arrived in El Salvador by 8:02 p.m. A third flight followed suit, landing in Honduras at 9:46 p.m. and later in El Salvador after midnight on Sunday, March 16.
The following day, at 7:46 a.m., El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele tweeted a New York Post headline about Boasberg’s order, mockingly adding “Oopsie … Too late” and an emoji expressing amusement. He further posted footage of the deportees arriving in El Salvador, showcasing the processing of these immigrants into a presumably showcase prison. This provocative gesture was quickly amplifie
