U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito criticized the court majority for "hastily and prematurely" blocking the Trump administration from deporting a group of Venezuelan migrants with an emergency ruling in the early morning hours of a holiday weekend.

President Donald Trump’s administration asked the Supreme Court to roll back its decision to block the deportation of Venezuelans to a notorious prison in El Salvador, arguing that the early-morning order was overbroad and premature.

The Alien Enemies Act, an 18th century law, gives the president sweeping authority during a time of war to deport people from an enemy nation. It was used to legitimize Japanese internment during World War II. Trump has invoked the law claiming that Venezuelan gangs have invaded the United States.