Overview

• The 5th Circuit, in a 2–1 decision, held that the Alien Enemies Act cannot be used in peacetime to fast‑track deportations of migrants accused of belonging to Tren de Aragua.
• The administration can seek en banc review or petition the Supreme Court, leaving the policy’s future dependent on higher‑court action.
• Near the time of the ruling, U.S. forces sank a fast boat in Caribbean international waters, killing 11 people the U.S. identified as Tren de Aragua operatives; Venezuela questioned the video’s authenticity and mobilized troops.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio met President Claudia Sheinbaum in Mexico City for security talks, with Mexico emphasizing sovereignty and both governments outlining a framework for continued coordination.
• U.S. officials said similar lethal operations may continue, and Trump’s assertion that Nicolás Maduro directly controls Tren de Aragua is not corroborated by some U.S. intelligence assessments.