What to Know About the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 Law Invoked by Trump

The president invoked the law before deporting 250 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, a move challenged by the ACLU and others in court.

A Department of Homeland Security officer stands guard at 26 Federal plaza in New York City, on March 10, 2025. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 law providing for deportations of noncitizens during times of war or invasion.

The proclamation targets members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang, which Trump links to the socialist regime in Venezuela. Trump declared TdA a foreign terrorist organization in February.