A United States federal court of appeals ruled on Wednesday against the Trump administration's attempt to resume deportations of Venezuelan gang members. The decision upholds a prior ruling that had blocked the use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as a legal basis for expedited deportations.

The three-judge panel issued a 2–1 vote rejecting the administration’s appeal, effectively preventing President Donald Trump from proceeding with the removal of members of the Venezuelan gang known as Tren de Aragua. The Alien Enemies Act allows the president to detain or deport nationals of a hostile nation during times of war or national emergency.

Trump responded to the ruling by denying that he had signed an order invoking the 1798 statute. However, he maintained his administration’s position on deporting members of the gang, stating his intention to pursue other legal avenues to achieve that goal.

The court's decision marks a significant limitation on the president's authority to unilaterally expand deportation powers based on century-old legislation. Legal experts suggest that further appeals could be made, but the current ruling stands as a judicial roadblock to the administration’s immediate plans.

The Venezuelan gang in question, Tren de Aragua, has been cited by U.S. officials as a growing security threat. The Trump administration had argued that national emergency powers were necessary to respond swiftly to criminal organizations with foreign origins. The court, however, did not find sufficient justification under the Alien Enemies Act to allow such actions to proceed.

The case underscores ongoing tensions between the executive and judiciary over immigration enforcement, presidential powers, and the use of historical statutes in contemporary contexts. As of now, deportations related to this matter remain halted.