GOP senator weighs in on Trump’s 1798 immigration law, judge’s attempt to block it

Republican Sen. Mike Rounds (S.D.) appeared Sunday on CNN, where he spoke about President Trump’s decision to invoke a 1798 immigration law and a federal judge’s attempt to block it.
On Saturday, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act. It was the first time it’s been used since World War II and allows the president to have sweeping powers to deport people. The action was targeted at the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
Rounds joined “State of the Union” just hours after Trump’s action. A federal judge attempted to block the move, but the Trump administration deported people anyway.
“I can tell you that clearly these individuals never have been in the United States to begin with. And the question is, which laws are we using to get them back out, and whether or not the courts agree, that part will be determined by the courts,” Rounds said. “But in the meantime, I’m happy to see the president is following up with his promises that he is going to keep Americans safe.”
Host Jake Tapper pressed the senator on the legality of the move, since the judge ordered the administration to turn deportation flights around and bring people back to the U.S. while it plays out in the courts. The administration did not adhere to the judge’s order, and the migrants were deported.
“We’ll find out whether or not that actually occurred or not,” Rounds said. “I don’t know about the timing on it. I do know that we will follow the law.”
Rounds, in support of Trump, said he believed Trump was invoking the immigration law to protect Americans from the “violent gang” commonly called TDA.
“I think most Americans are going to say, ‘I don’t care how old the law is, if you can use it to get these guys out and keep my family safe, we’re going to do it in the meantime,’” he said.
-
Judge blocks deportations under 1798 law, orders flights turned around
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from deporting any noncitizens pursuant to the president's recent proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act.ABC News - 17h -
Judge blocks Trump administration from implementing Alien Enemies Act
A federal judge expanded his ruling temporarily blocking the Trump administration from invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 on Saturday preventing the removal of Venezuelan undocumented ...The Hill - 21h -
Trump preparing to invoke 1798 wartime law for Guantánamo deportations
President Trump is planning to use a wartime law from 1798 to help carry out deportations to Guantánamo Bay, according to multiple U.S. officials familiar with the plan. CBS News immigration and ...CBS News - 2d -
Live updates: Trump blocked from using Alien Enemies Act; Houthis vow retaliation after US airstrikes
A federal judge expanded his ruling temporarily blocking the Trump administration from invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 on Saturday, preventing the removal of Venezuelan undocumented ...The Hill - 2h -
Judge blocks Trump admin from deporting 5 Venezuelans amid plans to invoke Alien Enemies Act
A federal judge on Saturday preemptively blocked the Trump administration's reported efforts to quickly deport five Venezuelan nationals under the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) of 1798. The move from ...The Hill - 1d -
Judge expands temporary block on Trump's plan to use the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans
President Donald Trump on Saturday invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to target a Venezuelan gang he accused of "unlawfully infiltrating" the United States.NBC News - 23h -
Judge expands temporary block on Trump's plan to use the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans
President Donald Trump on Saturday invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to target a Venezuelan gang he accused of "unlawfully infiltrating" the United States.NBC News - 23h -
Trump to invoke wartime power from 1798 for Guantanamo deportations
President Trump is planning to invoke a wartime law known as the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as soon as Friday to authorize the summary deportation of some migrants.CBS News - 3d -
Judge blocks 'unlawful' Trump order targeting Clinton 2016 law firm
A federal judge entered an emergency order barring the Trump administration from implementing parts of its executive order targeting the law firm Perkins Coie.ABC News - 3d
More from The Hill
-
Universities in precarious position as Trump uses research funding as a wedge
The Trump administration is taking advantage of the entanglement of university finances and government funding, seeking to put schools on a short leash tied to their research capabilities. ...The Hill - 25m -
Rubio announces deportations day after judge blocks using Alien Enemies Act
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Sunday that hundreds of members of the Tren de Aragua gang have been deported under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, even as a federal judge ordered the ...The Hill - 1h -
Nita Lowey, former New York representative, dies at 87
Former New York Rep. Nita Lowey (D) died on Saturday, her family confirmed in a statement sent to CBS News. “With great sadness, we announce that former Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey died peacefully ...The Hill - 1h -
The left talks about antisemitism. The right actually fights it.
A Republican consulting firm has helped build a department to fight antisemitism and support Israel, while the Democratic Party has failed to crack down on pro-Hamas mobs and has defended a Hamas ...The Hill - 1h -
Maryland Gov. highlights concern for trade after Trump’s 'erratic' behavior
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) highlighted his concern for trade in his state after President Trump’s tariffs went into effect, calling his behavior “erratic.” Moore joined CBS News’s “Face the ...The Hill - 1h
More in Politics
-
3/16: Face the Nation
This week on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," as the U.S. launches airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, Margaret Brennan speaks to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Plus, ...CBS News - 20m -
Universities in precarious position as Trump uses research funding as a wedge
The Trump administration is taking advantage of the entanglement of university finances and government funding, seeking to put schools on a short leash tied to their research capabilities. ...The Hill - 25m -
Rubio announces deportations day after judge blocks using Alien Enemies Act
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Sunday that hundreds of members of the Tren de Aragua gang have been deported under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, even as a federal judge ordered the ...The Hill - 1h -
Nita Lowey, former New York representative, dies at 87
Former New York Rep. Nita Lowey (D) died on Saturday, her family confirmed in a statement sent to CBS News. “With great sadness, we announce that former Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey died peacefully ...The Hill - 1h -
The left talks about antisemitism. The right actually fights it.
A Republican consulting firm has helped build a department to fight antisemitism and support Israel, while the Democratic Party has failed to crack down on pro-Hamas mobs and has defended a Hamas ...The Hill - 1h