Thousands of protesters rallied in cities across the United States on April 19, 2025, condemning the Trump administration’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to fast-track deportations of Venezuelan migrants.
Demonstrations in Washington D.C., New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago united civil rights groups, immigration advocates, and Venezuelan-American communities, who criticized the move as an abuse of a centuries-old statute designed for wartime scenarios.
The Alien Enemies Act, enacted during John Adams’ presidency, permits the detention or deportation of nationals from countries with which the U.S. is “at war” or in declared hostility. While the U.S. does not formally recognize Venezuela as an enemy state, the administration cited “hostile relations and national security concerns” to justify its application. Legal scholars and activists argue this interpretation dangerously expands the law’s scope, bypassing standard asylum protections and due process.
In Miami, home to a large Venezuelan diaspora, crowds denounced the policy as “inhumane,” with many expressing fears that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders could face similar targeting. New York’s Union Square saw chants of “No more deportations!” as Venezuelan nationals shared accounts of fleeing political repression and economic collapse, only to confront renewed instability under the threat of removal.
Immigration attorney Luis Montoya emphasized to CNN that many affected individuals have pending asylum claims or deep community ties, stating, “These are people contributing to our economy and society. Circumventing their legal rights sets a dangerous precedent.” The administration, however, defends the measure as a national security necessity, though it has not publicly substantiated claims of specific threats posed by Venezuelan migrants.
Critics warn the policy could signal broader use of the Alien Enemies Act against other migrant groups, escalating what they describe as an increasingly stringent immigration agenda. The protests underscore deepening tensions over executive authority and migrant rights, particularly as the 2024 election cycle approaches.
The Alien Enemies Act has been invoked sparingly in U.S. history, most notably during World War II to detain citizens of Axis nations. Its application in non-wartime contexts remains legally untested, raising questions about judicial checks on executive power. As debates over immigration enforcement intensify, the outcome of this clash may redefine the balance between national security imperatives and protections for vulnerable populations a challenge echoing global struggles over migration policy.
