A federal appellate court declined to pause a lower court’s ruling that challenges the Trump administration’s use of an 18th-century wartime law—the Alien Enemies Act—to deport Venezuelan nationals. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 in favor of the plaintiffs, further stalling the administration’s deportation efforts.

Judge Patricia Millett, an Obama appointee, questioned whether the administration had violated due process rights by not giving deportees enough time to challenge their removal. The court is focusing more on procedural issues and the Justice Department’s refusal to cooperate, rather than ruling on the legality of the Alien Enemies Act itself.

Legal analysts suggest the case could ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Some argue the Trump administration is betting on the court’s conservative majority to expand executive power over immigration, while critics warn of the precedent such a move could set.

Attorney General Pam Bondi strongly criticized lower courts, claiming they were overstepping into foreign policy. She vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court if necessary, framing the legal battle as a fight to preserve the administration’s immigration authority.