A federal appellate court has dealt a setback to the Trump administration’s deportation policy targeting Venezuelan nationals, ruling 2-1 against its use of an 18th-century wartime law. The decision prevents the administration from moving forward with deportations under this controversial legal framework.

The ruling arose from a case that challenged whether the policy violated constitutional due process rights. Plaintiffs argued that the law was being applied in a way that infringed on their ability to seek protections under the Constitution. The appellate court agreed, emphasizing that the government could not bypass the legal safeguards intended to protect individuals from arbitrary deportation.

Judges on the D.C. Circuit Court, including Obama appointee Patricia Millett, scrutinized the historical wartime statute and its relevance in modern immigration enforcement. Central to the debate was the timeframe in which individuals could pursue habeas corpus protections, a key legal recourse for those facing detention or deportation.

The decision is seen as a significant legal check on executive authority. By halting deportations under the 18th-century law, the court underscored the necessity of judicial oversight, even in cases where the government seeks expedited enforcement measures. Legal experts note that this ruling reinforces the constitutional balance between national security objectives and individual rights.

Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the appellate court’s decision, signaling the administration’s determination to continue pursuing its policy. Bondi indicated that the case may be taken to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary, where the government will seek broader authority to carry out deportations with reduced judicial scrutiny.

Observers anticipate that the case could have wide-reaching implications for immigration enforcement and constitutional law. If appealed, the Supreme Court’s ruling could clarify the limits of executive power in applying historical statutes to contemporary immigration policy, shaping the legal landscape for years to come.