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 Unlike the other Alien and Sedition Acts, which were later repealed or expired, the Alien Enemies Act remains in effect today under 50 U.S.C. §§ 21-24.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