Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

JUST IN: Trump To Supercharge Mass Deportations By Invoking 18th-Century Law
Trending Politics ^ | March 13, 2025 | Chris Powell

Posted on 03/13/2025 11:03:14 AM PDT by Red Badger

President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to invoke a rarely used 18th-century law to accelerate mass deportation. The move would be part of his broader immigration crackdown, a centerpiece of his 2024 campaign.

Sources told CNN that Trump’s team is considering using the Alien Enemies Act, a law from 1798 that grants the president sweeping powers to detain and deport noncitizens from countries deemed hostile. The law, originally passed during a period of tension with France, has rarely been applied in modern history.

Trump has already vowed to launch “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history,” targeting millions of illegal immigrants. His campaign has framed the effort as a national security measure, relaying that the Biden administration allowed record numbers of illegal crossings during their four years.

Enacted under President John Adams, the law was originally designed amid rising tensions with France, allowing the government to take action against foreign nationals deemed a threat to national security. Unlike the other Alien and Sedition Acts, which were later repealed or expired, the Alien Enemies Act remains in effect today under 50 U.S.C. §§ 21-24.

Throughout history, the law has been invoked in times of war. During the War of 1812, it was used to detain and deport British nationals.

In World War I, President Woodrow Wilson utilized it against German citizens living in the U.S. Similarly, in World War II, the law played a role in the internment of Japanese, German, and Italian nationals. While it has not been widely applied in recent history, it was referenced in national security discussions following the 9/11 attacks.

Because its application is tied to a formal state of war, its use is limited, and any modern attempt to expand its scope—such as for immigration enforcement—would likely face legal challenges. While originally crafted in an era of early American conflicts, the law’s broad presidential authority remains a subject of debate.

In January, right after assuming office, the administration declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, deploying troops to secure the border and labeling certain cartel organizations as foreign terrorist organizations. Efforts to end birthright citizenship were also initiated.

A new poll shows that most Americans support President Trump’s immigration policies. His efforts to curb illegal immigration—including increased arrests and deportations of criminal migrants—earned him his highest approval rating among seven policy areas surveyed in a CNN poll released Wednesday. Trump received a 51% approval rating on immigration, a seven-point increase from any point during his first term.

The main focus is on Tren de Aragua (TDA). TDA is a violent criminal gang that originated in Venezuela and has since expanded its operations across Latin America and beyond. Initially formed in the early 2000s within Venezuela’s Tocorón prison, the gang has grown into a powerful transnational criminal organization involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, and contract killings.

An official announcement, expected potentially by Friday, has seen its timing shift as officials put the finishing touches on the details.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 1798; alienenemiesact; aliens; contractkillings; criminalgang; deportation; drugtrafficking; extortion; humantrafficking; tda; trendearagua; venezuela
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-90 next last

1 posted on 03/13/2025 11:03:14 AM PDT by Red Badger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Just do what Eisenhower did

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Wetback


2 posted on 03/13/2025 11:05:05 AM PDT by lovingliberty1965
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Good old John Adams.


3 posted on 03/13/2025 11:06:30 AM PDT by rfp1234 (E Porcibus Unum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Sweet, can’t wait for some liberal judge shopped traffic court dem judge to rule the law unconstitutional.

The courts are ruling themselves into irrelevance as they pee away all credibility, great job Roberts.


4 posted on 03/13/2025 11:06:45 AM PDT by Skwor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

FTA-—A new poll shows that most Americans support President Trump’s immigration policies.

His efforts—including increased arrests and deportations of criminal migrants—
earned him his highest approval rating among seven policy areas surveyed in a CNN poll.

He received a 51% approval rating on immigration,
a seven-point increase from any point during his first term.


5 posted on 03/13/2025 11:08:06 AM PDT by Liz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Wow. Someone has been googling for old laws still on the books.


6 posted on 03/13/2025 11:09:04 AM PDT by Carl Vehse (Make Austin Texas Again!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

They make “supercharge deportations” sound like a bad thing!


7 posted on 03/13/2025 11:09:31 AM PDT by PGR88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Now find an old law that covers judges impeding every step a president makes.


8 posted on 03/13/2025 11:11:51 AM PDT by TangoLimaSierra (⭐⭐To the Left, The Truth is Right Wing Violence⭐⭐)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
Supercharge it!


9 posted on 03/13/2025 11:13:50 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

FTA—the main focus of the “1798 Alien Enemies Act” that grants the president
sweeping powers to detain and deport noncitizens, is on Tren de Aragua (TDA).

TDA is a violent criminal gang that originated in Venezuela and
has since expanded its operations across Latin America and beyond.

Initially formed in the early 2000s in Venezuela’s Tocorón prison, the gang has grown into a powerful transnational criminal organization involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, and contract killings.


10 posted on 03/13/2025 11:14:21 AM PDT by Liz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Throughout history, the law has been invoked in times of war.
.....

Endless wars has consequences..


11 posted on 03/13/2025 11:15:42 AM PDT by delchiante
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Importations have been supercharged the last 4 years.


12 posted on 03/13/2025 11:16:56 AM PDT by HYPOCRACY (Long live The Great MAGA Kangz!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Whatever it takes. Get them gone.


13 posted on 03/13/2025 11:19:06 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (The commie pig, Ellissa Bumpkin, says Americans brains are not fully developed. She can KMA.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HYPOCRACY

Not importations.
Invasion, so declared by the President of the United States..


14 posted on 03/13/2025 11:19:22 AM PDT by delchiante
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

1798 to 1800, a fascinating time in American history:
XYZ Affair-> QuasiWar with France

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quasi-War


15 posted on 03/13/2025 11:21:00 AM PDT by CapandBall
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
We need to selectively decide who resides in this country. Many just don't belong here.



16 posted on 03/13/2025 11:21:16 AM PDT by plain talk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: delchiante

Nobody asked for your input.


17 posted on 03/13/2025 11:21:55 AM PDT by HYPOCRACY (Long live The Great MAGA Kangz!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

The libs are waking up the old man judge in Seattle. He’s a reliable moron.


18 posted on 03/13/2025 11:23:07 AM PDT by shanover (...To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.-S.Adams)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HYPOCRACY

Words mean something when the President says them.

Your word doesn’t

Nobody asked for yours either


19 posted on 03/13/2025 11:23:23 AM PDT by delchiante
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: TangoLimaSierra

1867 Mississippi Vs Johnson..................

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mississippi_v._Johnson


20 posted on 03/13/2025 11:23:26 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-90 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson