Trump Administration Seeks Supreme Court Approval for Deportation of Venezuelans
On Friday, the Trump administration took a significant step by requesting the Supreme Court to permit the use of a rarely invoked wartime law aimed at continuing the deportation of Venezuelan nationals with minimal due process. This emergency application came in response to a federal appeals court’s decision to uphold a temporary block on these deportations.
In their application, administration lawyers emphasized the urgency of the situation, arguing that it was imperative to act swiftly rather than allowing the matter to slowly navigate through the lower courts. Acting Solicitor General Sarah M. Harris articulated the government’s stance, stating that this case raises “fundamental questions about who holds the authority to oversee sensitive national-security-related operations within our nation.”
Ms. Harris further asserted, “The Constitution provides a definitive answer: it is the president who holds this power.” She underscored the critical nature of the situation, asserting, “The Republic cannot afford any alternative.”
The Supreme Court responded by establishing a prompt briefing schedule, instructing that attorneys representing the immigrants submit their response to the government’s application by 10 a.m. on April 1. This case is poised to serve as a significant early test for how the nation’s highest court will address President Trump’s vigorous initiatives to deport millions of migrants, alongside his confrontational attitude towards the judiciary. Notably, Trump has previously suggested the impeachment of a lower-court judge responsible for pausing these deportations.
