Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota has expressed support for President Donald Trump’s recent decision to use a historical law to deport dangerous illegal immigrants from the United States. This announcement came during an interview on CNN’s "State of the Union" with Jake Tapper. Rounds specifically highlighted the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which Trump is considering to target members of Tren de Aragua, a violent gang from Venezuela recognized as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Rounds emphasized that individuals involved with such gangs should not be in the U.S. in the first place. He stated, “These individuals should never have been in the United States to begin with,” and raised concerns about which laws would be used to remove them and whether the courts would agree with those actions.
The senator also acknowledged the ongoing legal challenges to Trump’s plans. A U.S. District Judge, James Boasberg, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, recently issued an order halting the deportations, requiring any flights carrying these individuals to turn around immediately. When asked if Trump would ignore this court order, Rounds affirmed the importance of following the law. “We expect the executive branch to follow the law,” he said, reiterating the commitment to uphold the constitutional framework.
Despite the legal hurdles, Rounds praised Trump’s efforts to fulfill his promise of keeping Americans safe. He noted that there are thousands of criminal gang members currently in the U.S. and expressed optimism about using all legal means available to deport them.
The discussion comes at a time when immigration policies and enforcement are hot topics in the U.S., with many calling for stricter measures against criminal elements within the country. Rounds’ comments reflect a broader Republican stance on immigration, emphasizing safety and law enforcement.