A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday upheld a lower court's temporary block on the Trump administration's deportation of some Venezuelan immigrants under a little-used 18th century law.

More than 50 Venezuelans were believed to be scheduled to be flown out of the country, presumably to El Salvador, from an immigration detention center in Anson, Texas.

High court acts in an emergency appeal from the American Civil Liberties Union over removals under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.