South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is leading a coalition of 25 states in filing a friend-of-the-court brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The brief supports President Donald Trump’s use of executive authority to deport members of Tren de Aragua (TdA), a Venezuelan gang designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
“President Trump is acting decisively to protect American citizens, and we’re proud to stand with him,” said Attorney General Wilson. He emphasized the need for action against what he describes as “America’s enemies” entering through open borders, including violent gangs and traffickers.
The brief argues that President Trump is operating within his constitutional and statutory authority under Article II of the U.S. Constitution and the Alien Enemies Act. It states that removing foreign nationals affiliated with hostile organizations is not only lawful but necessary due to increasing violence linked to TdA.
Participating states have detailed ongoing harm from TdA’s presence, such as murder, human trafficking, and cartel-linked operations within their communities. The brief claims this expansion poses not just a public safety threat but is part of broader hybrid warfare coordinated with Venezuela’s Maduro regime.
“This is about preserving national security and defending the rule of law,” continued Attorney General Wilson. He insists that judicial overreach should not prevent the President from fulfilling his duty to protect the nation.
The coalition urges the court to reject any injunctions preventing federal authorities from deporting dangerous illegal immigrants deemed not belonging in the country. South Carolina leads this effort alongside Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
