DENVER (AP) — A federal judge in Colorado has issued a temporary block on the deportation of immigrants potentially facing removal under President Donald Trump's use of the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act. The emergency order was provided by District Court Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) intervened on behalf of two Venezuelan men currently detained in Denver. These individuals expressed concerns that they could be wrongfully targeted as affiliates of the Tren de Aragua gang, which Trump has claimed is infiltrating the United States. Critics, however, argue that the President is exploiting the gang's notoriety to amplify an exaggerated anti-migrant narrative.
Judge Sweeney's ruling enforces a temporary ban on the deportation of all noncitizens in custody within the District of Colorado who may be subject to removal under the Alien Enemies Act. This act has a contentious history in the United States, having been utilized only three previous times, most notably during World War II to intern Japanese-American citizens. President Trump invoked this law last month, raising significant alarm among legal and civil rights advocates regarding its implications for immigrant communities.
The legal landscape around this issue has gained traction in light of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling asserting that individuals facing deportation under Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act are entitled to a federal court hearing before any removal can occur. This decision prompted federal judges in New York and Texas to place temporary holds on deportations in their jurisdictions until the Trump administration can outline a procedure for handling such appeals. Judge Sweeney's order in Colorado aligns with these judicial interventions, amplifying concerns about due process for noncitizens.
Sweeney's emergency order is set to remain in effect for a duration of 14 days, during which the court is scheduled to hear further arguments on April 21. This situation underscores the ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding immigration policy, particularly as the Trump administration continues to face scrutiny over its approach to handling issues related to noncitizens within the United States.
