The act is a wartime authority that allows the president to detain and deport non-U.S. citizens from enemy countries.

President Donald Trump has implemented sweeping uses of executive authority since returning to office in January. As he continues his crackdown on unauthorized immigration, the president is now reportedly looking to use a little-known law from the early days on the United States,

WASHINGTON—The Trump administration is planning to invoke a sweeping wartime authority known as the Alien Enemies Act in an effort to speed up deportations, according to an official familiar with the discussions.