Legal experts contend that the Trump administration exceeded its statutory powers by invoking rarely applied laws to justify its wide-ranging immigration crackdown.
The administration’s actions—such as using the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to deport 238 alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador and attempting to detain a lawful permanent resident under an untested provision of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act—may have surpassed its constitutional authority.
Immigration lawyer David Leopold described these moves as “unilateral, factual determinations made by the executive,” suggesting that the administration’s interpretation of these old statutes is vulnerable to judicial reversal. In one instance, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg temporarily blocked deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, arguing that the law was intended to address hostile actions by foreign nations rather than individual cases of alleged gang activity.
The administration’s use of the law that enabled the detention of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder of Palestinian descent, has also raised concerns. Khalil’s lawyers argue that his arrest was retaliatory for his participation in pro-Palestinian protests and infringes on his First Amendment rights. A similar provision was used only once before—in a 1995 case involving Mario Ruiz Massieu—which was later challenged for its constitutionality.
While the Trump administration has appealed judicial blocks on these deportations, the ultimate question of whether its invocation of these laws is constitutional may end up before the Supreme Court, where a conservative majority currently holds sway. Some experts, however, remain skeptical of the notion that the executive branch possesses unfettered authority in foreign affairs, arguing that such matters remain subject to judicial review.
The controversy underscores the broader legal and political battles over executive power in immigration enforcement and highlights the potential for significant shifts in policy if these challenges reach the highest court.
This edition of Newshour explores the roots and ripple effects of President Trump’s clash with Elon Musk. AnewZ correspondent Oubai Shahbandar joins the program to unpack the political and economic stakes, while residents of Oakland, California share how the dispute resonates on the ground.
Iran on Saturday strongly criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's recently announced travel ban, calling it a demonstration of "deep hostility" towards Iranians and Muslims and a violation of international law.
In this episode of Inside Politics, Anastasiya Lavrina sits down with UK MP Tobias Ellwood to unpack the growing storm of global threats. From ballooning military budgets to the shifting architecture of alliances, they explore what today’s tensions reveal about the future of global security.
A major Japanese battery maker has stopped construction on a $1.6 billion plant in South Carolina, citing “policy and market uncertainty” tied to electric vehicles and global trade.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone Friday, their first conversation since Lee’s election earlier this week.
Russia carried out a large-scale air attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight and into Saturday evening, killing at least four people and injuring more than 60 others, including a baby, according to local officials.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will visit the UK from June 8–13 for the first round of China-U.S. economic and trade consultations. Talks will include U.S. Treasury and Commerce Secretaries and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that there could be “serious consequences” if Elon Musk provides financial support to Democratic candidates challenging Republicans who back Trump’s tax-cut bill, signalling a sharp turn in their previously cordial relationship.
The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) announced Saturday a significant boost to its commitment to ocean health, pledging an additional $2.5 billion in investments aimed at protecting marine ecosystems and fostering sustainable blue economic activities.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei met Pope Leo at the Vatican, confirming the pontiff’s upcoming visit to Argentina.
A bridge collapse in the Vygonichsky district of Russia’s Bryansk region, near the Ukrainian border, caused a train derailment and a traffic accident early Sunday, killing at least seven people and leaving 30 injured, according to emergency services.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has confirmed it carried out a third targeted attack against the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, early Tuesday morning, marking a new escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture early Monday, causing no reported injuries or damage, and no tsunami warning was issued, officials confirmed.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to speak this week to discuss recent trade tensions, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine ended abruptly in Istanbul on Monday, lasting just over an hour amid mounting tensions following a major Ukrainian drone strike on Russian strategic bombers and renewed pressure from the U.S. for a breakthrough.
Russia carried out a large-scale air attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight and into Saturday evening, killing at least four people and injuring more than 60 others, including a baby, according to local officials.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will visit the UK from June 8–13 for the first round of China-U.S. economic and trade consultations. Talks will include U.S. Treasury and Commerce Secretaries and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that there could be “serious consequences” if Elon Musk provides financial support to Democratic candidates challenging Republicans who back Trump’s tax-cut bill, signalling a sharp turn in their previously cordial relationship.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei met Pope Leo at the Vatican, confirming the pontiff’s upcoming visit to Argentina.
Negotiations between China and the European Union regarding electric vehicle price commitments are in their final stages, although both sides acknowledge that further efforts are required to reach a resolution.
Russia carried out a large-scale air attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight and into Saturday evening, killing at least four people and injuring more than 60 others, including a baby, according to local officials.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will visit the UK from June 8–13 for the first round of China-U.S. economic and trade consultations. Talks will include U.S. Treasury and Commerce Secretaries and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that there could be “serious consequences” if Elon Musk provides financial support to Democratic candidates challenging Republicans who back Trump’s tax-cut bill, signalling a sharp turn in their previously cordial relationship.
The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) announced Saturday a significant boost to its commitment to ocean health, pledging an additional $2.5 billion in investments aimed at protecting marine ecosystems and fostering sustainable blue economic activities.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei met Pope Leo at the Vatican, confirming the pontiff’s upcoming visit to Argentina.
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