Trump Invokes 1798 Law, Raising Fears of Mass Deportations and Human Rights Abuses
President Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to authorize mass deportations of Venezuelan citizens affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang, fulfilling a campaign promise. This controversial law, previously used to justify Japanese internment during WWII, grants the president broad powers to bypass due process and target foreign nationals based on their nationality, not individual actions. The directive targets Venezuelans aged 14 and older who are not US citizens or lawful permanent residents, raising significant human rights concerns. Trump’s actions follow anti-immigrant rhetoric and have been condemned by critics as a potential abuse of presidential power.