Major legal setback for Donald Trump as DC Circuit blocks revival of controversial Alien Enemy Act deportations; here's what could happen next

Trump administration, the DC Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday temporarily halted the deportation of suspected Venezuelan gang members under the infrequently used Alien Enemies Act (AEA), reported Wusa9.
The 18th-century law had been invoked by US president Donald Trump earlier this month to immediately deport a group of Venezuelan men suspected of being affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang, according to the report.

Questions Raised About Interpretation of the Law

The 1798 law authorizes the president to deport «alien enemies» in times of war or during an invasion, reported Wusa9. The administration believed the law entitled them to act immediately against the group, but the court decision, made through a 2-1 majority, has suspended the deportations for the moment, as per the report.

US District Judge Karen Henderson, a member of the majority in halting the deportations, had strong reservations regarding the government's interpretation of the AEA, according to Wusa9. She pointed out that the law had traditionally been linked to military action, during war or invasion, and asked «What evidence does the government muster against the weight of this evidence?» as quoted in the report.

Lack of Adequate Evidence

Henderson was critical of the government for failing to bring forward adequate evidence to support the deportations, citing the fact that the men concerned had not been correctly identified, reported Wusa9. She said, «The government concedes it 'lack[s] a complete profile' or even 'specific information about each individual' it has targeted for summary removal,» as quoted in the report.

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Judge Millett's Criticism

Even US district judge Patricia Millett had voted along with Henderson, Millett