Supreme Court allows Trump to use wartime law for swift deportations

The US Supreme Court is allowing President Donald Trump to continue to use a rarely-invoked wartime powers law to carry out rapid mass deportations of alleged gang members.

The top court's ruling on Monday lets the Trump administration use the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to speed removals while litigation over its use plays out in lower courts.

A lower court order on 15 March had temporarily blocked the administration's summary deportations under the 227-year-old law meant to protect the US during wartime.

At least 137 people have been deported by the Trump administration under this act, a move criticised by rights groups.

The Alien Enemies Act grants the US president sweeping powers to order the detention and deportation of natives or citizens of an "enemy" nation without following the usual processes.

It was passed as part of a series of laws in 1798 when the US believed it would enter a war with France.

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