The Supreme Court recently issued a 7-2 decision that blocks an attempt by the Trump administration to expedite the deportation of Venezuelans in the United States who are allegedly involved with violent criminal organizations. The case centers around the use of the Alien Enemies Act, a law dating back to the 18th century, which the administration had invoked to remove individuals deemed national security threats, including those associated with gangs identified as terrorist organizations.

The ruling, which was issued on Friday, temporarily halts the deportation process for these individuals while the case is sent back to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans for further review. This means that, for now, the Venezuelan nationals will be allowed to remain in the U.S., despite their illegal status.

In response to the ruling, President Donald Trump took to social media to express his concerns. Through a post on Truth Social, he criticized the decision, claiming that the Court’s ruling would allow dangerous individuals, including murderers, drug dealers, and gang members, to remain in the country for an extended period. He expressed frustration with the judicial process, pointing out that the decision would likely result in a protracted legal battle that could take years to resolve, giving these individuals ample opportunity to commit additional crimes before facing legal consequences.

Trump also voiced his displeasure with the fact that the Court’s ruling, in his view, would lead to more criminals entering the country. He argued that the decision would create a dangerous precedent, encouraging other criminals to enter the U.S. illegally, knowing that they could avoid immediate deportation.

The Court’s majority opinion focused on the lack of due process provided to the detainees facing deportation. The justices concluded that the Trump administration had not given the detainees enough time or resources to challenge their deportations properly. The Court noted that the administration had only given them roughly 24 hours’ notice before attempting removal, without providing clear instructions on how to contest it. This, according to the majority, did not meet the constitutional standards for due process.

In its decision, the Supreme Court emphasized that it was not their role to determine the exact process that should be followed but instead to ensure that the detainees’ constitutional rights were being respected. The case has now been remanded to the 5th Circuit Court, where it will be further examined to determine the proper legal procedure moving forward.

The Court’s ruling also addressed a separate issue, as the ACLU had requested that the Court skip the lower courts and rule directly on whether the use of the Alien Enemies Act was permissible during peacetime. The justices rejected this request, and the case will continue to move through the lower courts before reaching a final conclusion.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, while agreeing with the majority’s decision, wrote a separate concurring opinion in which he underscored that the Court was not making a final determination on whether the Venezuelan detainees could be deported but was instead ensuring that the legal process would be followed properly before any removals occurred.

In contrast, Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented from the majority opinion. Justice Alito specifically took issue with the Court’s decision to engage in the matter, suggesting that the justices may have overstepped their authority by addressing issues beyond the immediate question of interim relief. He expressed concern that the Court’s ruling could set a troubling precedent by weighing in on an issue that could have been resolved at a lower level.

The case raises significant questions about the balance between national security and due process, particularly when it comes to deportations and the use of wartime statutes during peacetime. The Supreme Court’s decision to remand the case back to the lower courts leaves the door open for further legal battles and challenges, which will continue to shape how the U.S. handles deportations of individuals from foreign countries linked to criminal activities.

As the case moves forward, the outcome will likely have lasting implications for how the government enforces immigration laws, particularly in the context of national security concerns and the rights of individuals facing deportation. For now, the ruling ensures that the legal process will be followed, allowing those affected to have their day in court before any decisions are made regarding their removal from the U.S.