Alien Enemies Act: what is it and can Trump use it to deport gang members?

Using the 227-year-old law to argue a Venezuelan gang's activities amount to an invasion is unprecedented', according to the Congressional Research Service

• Judge blocks Trump from using 18th-century wartime act for deportations

Donald Trump on Saturday invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since the second world war, granting himself sweeping powers under a centuries-old law to deport people associated with a Venezuelan gang. Hours later, a federal judge halted deportations under the US president's order.

The act is a sweeping wartime authority that allows noncitizens to be deported without being given the opportunity to go before an immigration or federal court judge.