Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has joined a coalition of state attorneys general supporting President Donald Trump’s (R) efforts to deport foreign terrorists under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The coalition, led by South Carolina, has filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to overturn a district court ruling that blocks the administration’s efforts to remove members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA).
On March 15, President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport individuals associated with the violent criminal organization, citing the need to protect American citizens from foreign threats. However, district court Judge James Boasberg halted the policy, issuing a nationwide freeze without allowing the federal government to present its case. President Trump responded to the order by calling for Judge Boasberg’s impeachment, which subsequently led to Texas Rep. Brandon Gill (R) introducing articles of impeachment against the judge.
Attorney General Paxton condemned Judge Boasberg’s decision, calling it an example of judicial overreach that puts American lives at risk.
“Left-wing judicial activists are jeopardizing the safety of Americans by unconstitutionally interfering with President Trump’s lawful authority to execute the longstanding law of the land to protect this country from foreign terrorists,” Attorney General Paxton said.
“For years, Texas suffered the consequences of Biden’s failure to secure the border, and now a liberal judge is attempting to stop President Trump from taking decisive action,” he added. “A radical district court judge has no power to dictate foreign policy and national security, and I fully support President Trump’s effort to keep America safe.”
The legal battle comes amid growing concerns over border security and the presence of transnational criminal organizations in the U.S. President Trump’s supporters argue that the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 gives the president clear authority to expel foreign threats during times of national emergency.
