Nationwide protests sweep U.S. over Trump’s use of wartime law to deport migrants

On April 19, 2025, thousands of people took to the streets across the United States in protest against the Trump administration’s controversial move to begin deporting Venezuelan migrants under a rarely used wartime-era law—the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The demonstrations, which unfolded in cities like Washington D.C., New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago, drew widespread participation from civil rights groups, immigration advocates, faith leaders, students, and members of the Venezuelan-American community.

The wave of public outcry comes after the administration triggered the Alien Enemies Act to justify fast-track deportations of undocumented Venezuelans. This law—originally passed during the administration of John Adams—allows the government to detain or deport nationals of a country with which the U.S. is “at war” or in a state of declared hostility. Though the U.S. is not formally at war with Venezuela, the Trump administration cited “hostile relations and national security concerns” to activate the provision.

Protesters view this as a dangerous overreach, one that weaponizes an antiquated statute to target vulnerable asylum seekers. Critics argue that invoking the law under these conditions sets a chilling precedent, especially as it circumvents normal immigration and asylum protections enshrined in both U.S. and international law.

In Miami, a hub for Venezuelan exiles, the emotional resonance was particularly intense. Many Venezuelan families live under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), but fear that even that may be rolled back. At a large rally, speakers called the administration’s move “inhumane,” with signs reading “Immigrants Are Not Enemies” and “Stop Deporting Hope.”

In New York City, thousands gathered in Union Square chanting “No more deportations!” and “Trump’s law is not our law.” Among the demonstrators were several Venezuelan nationals who shared stories of fleeing political persecution, economic collapse, and violence in their home country—only to now face the threat of forced removal.

Legal experts warn that the Trump administration’s use of this law could circumvent due process. Immigration attorney Luis Montoya told CNN that many of those being targeted have pending asylum claims or have lived in the U.S. for years, contributing to communities and working jobs essential to local economies.

Trump’s team defends the decision, saying it’s necessary to protect national security, arguing that the presence of certain undocumented individuals from “hostile states” poses a risk. But so far, the administration has not offered concrete evidence of coordinated threats from Venezuelan nationals.

The protests also reflect a broader frustration with the administration’s immigration platform, which critics describe as increasingly draconian. Activists fear the Alien Enemies Act could be expanded to affect migrants from other regions, leading to a domino effect of legally sanctioned mass deportations.

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