What is the Alien Enemies Act? Trump Reported to Begin Mass Deportations
President Donald Trump is expected to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law granting the president authority to detain or deport nationals of an enemy country, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter told ABC News.
The reported move, which could happen by the end of this week, is part of the administration’s broader efforts to carry out mass deportations.
According to ABC News, the Department of Defense is not expected to be involved, though the law could allow for the deportation of some migrants without a hearing.
The Alien Enemies Act is a wartime law passed in 1798 as part of the Alien and Sedition Acts under President John Adams. It grants the U.S. president the authority to detain, restrict or deport foreign nationals from a country that is at war with the United States. Unlike other provisions in the Alien and Sedition Acts, which expired or were repealed, the Alien Enemies Act remains in effect today.
This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information is available.
As soon as Friday, President Donald Trump is expected to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime law granting the president authority to detain or deport nationals of an enemy country, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter told ABC News.
