Trump's attempt to expel Venezuelan gang members under the Alien Enemies Act was denied by the appeals court ruling.

The federal appeals court has dealt a significant blow to the Trump administration's efforts to speed up the deportations of members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. In a 2-1 decision, a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that President Donald Trump cannot use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for this purpose.

The administration had been attempting to use an 18th century wartime law to regulate immigration during peacetime, a move that was rightly shut down by the court. Lee Gelernt, who argued the case for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), stated that the administration's use of a wartime statute during peacetime to regulate immigration was unlawful.

The court's decision does not apply to the use of the Alien Enemies Act in declared wars. It is important to note that the Alien Enemies Act has been used only three times before in U.S. history, all during declared wars.

The ruling comes after the administration argued that U.S. courts could not order the freed release of people deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador. The administration had also contended that it could not be second-guessed by the courts regarding its determination that Tren de Aragua was connected to Venezuela's government and represented a danger to the United States.

However, the court found that the administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act was not justified in this instance. The court's decision is expected to be the subject of a final showdown at the U.S. Supreme Court, as it can be appealed to the full 5th Circuit or directly to the Supreme Court.

The ruling is a victory for those who have been advocating for due process and the rule of law. More than 250 deported migrants have already returned to Venezuela in a deal announced in July. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding these principles, even in the face of challenging circumstances.

Trump's attempt to expel Venezuelan gang members under the Alien Enemies Act was denied by the appeals court ruling.