WMM v. Trump

Location: Texas
Status: Ongoing
Last Update: September 2, 2025

What's at Stake

Emergency lawsuit filed in federal court to again halt removals under the Alien Enemies Act for people within that court鈥檚 judicial district.

 

Summary

The action follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision in April 2025 lifting a nationwide temporary restraining order in a challenge to President Trump鈥檚 invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 wartime act the administration is trying to use to bypass immigration law. In its ruling, the Supreme Court also ordered that people targeted for removal under the act are entitled to challenge their removals and must have meaningful notice and opportunity to do so.

However, the government attempted to remove individuals out of a facility in northern Texas in mid-April after providing individuals only about 24 hours鈥 notice of their designation and removals. The 红杏视频 and 红杏视频 of Texas moved for emergency relief at the district court, Fifth Circuit, and Supreme Court, resulting in a district-wide stay on removals. On May 16, the Supreme Court extended that stay and held that the notice that the government gave did not meet due process, and reiterated that individuals must be provided with sufficient notice to actually seek habeas relief before their removal. The Supreme Court also remanded for the Fifth Circuit to consider whether the AEA authorizes removals pursuant to the president鈥檚 Proclamation and what notice is due.

UPDATE:

On September 2, the Fifth Circuit blocked President Trump鈥檚 use of the AEA to deport people. In its 2-1 decision, the court rejected the administration鈥檚 assertion that the wartime authority鈥檚 invocation was needed because 鈥渁n invasion or a predatory incursion has occurred.鈥

鈥淭his critical decision makes clear that the president cannot invoke whatever powers he wants. This is a huge victory for the rule of law,鈥 said 红杏视频 attorney Lee Gelernt, lead counsel who argued the appeal.

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