(March 23, 2025) Abhishek Kambli, a lawyer of Indian origin, has been thrust into the spotlight as he defends President Donald Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport hundreds of illegal immigrants, allegedly linked with transnational gang Trende Aragua from Venezuela despite a federal judge’s efforts to temporarily halt the process. Kambli, who just about a month ago joined as Deputy Associate Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice has swiftly become a key legal voice for the Trump administration in this high-stakes legal battle.
The controversy erupted on March 14, 2025, when Trump invoked the centuries-old statute to initiate the deportation of undocumented immigrants allegedly affliated with Tren de Aragua, a violent transnational criminal network. The move drew immediate legal challenges. Judge Boasberg issued an injunction to stop the deportation flights, but by then, several had already departed.
Now, the unfolding courtroom drama centers on Kambli’s defense of Trump’s immigration stance, as he pushes back against Boasberg’s order and seeks to uphold the administration’s sweeping deportation action under the revived 18th-century law.
This is not the first time Kambli has found himself in the national spotlight. While this case marks his most high-profile battle to date, he previously made headlines for blocking the Biden administration’s $475 billion student loan forgiveness plan and for securing an injunction against a controversial reinterpretation of Title IX that expanded ‘sex’ to include gender identity. In each instance, Kambli has positioned himself as a legal advocate for what he sees as constitutional clarity and governmental restraint.
From Norwalk to the United States capital
Kambli’s rise to national prominence is rooted in a story that begins far from the corridors of Washington, D.C. Born in India, he immigrated to the United States at the age of three. He spent most of his childhood in Norwalk, Connecticut, growing up in a working-class household. His father ran a gas station, while his mother worked in bank administration. The family’s story was one of resilience: Kambli’s grandfather died when his father was just two years old, leaving behind a widowed and illiterate grandmother to raise eight children on her own.
This early exposure to hardship and perseverance made a deep impression on Kambli. “My dad worked at a gas station his whole life,” he said. “That background—the struggle and perseverance—shaped everything I believe in.” It also instilled in him a deep respect for the opportunities America had afforded him and his family, a theme that has remained central to his legal and personal philosophy.
Initially, Kambli pursued a creative career, enrolling in a small art school in Philadelphia and spending several years in the entertainment industry. However, he soon realised that the field did not align with his long-term vision. He returned to school, following his father’s advice to pursue law, and eventually graduated from Notre Dame Law School.
A patriot’s path through the military
After law school, Kambli decided to serve his adopted homeland by joining the U.S. military as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer. There, he handled both prosecution and defense cases, gaining invaluable experience in courtroom litigation and military justice. His decision to join the military, he said, stemmed from a sense of duty. “I wanted to give back to the country that had given me so much.”
Abhishek Kambli
It was during his military service that he met his wife. However, the itinerant lifestyle of a military officer—moving every two to three years eventually led the couple to seek a more stable life. They settled in Indianapolis, where Kambli served as a federal prosecutor for nearly five years. There, he handled cases involving some of the region’s most violent offenders, primarily prosecuting gun-related crimes.
Yet, for all the courtroom victories, Kambli felt limited. “While it was good experience, it wasn’t as impactful as what I do now,” he said. “The cases I take on now have national significance.”
Litigation for the constitution
Kambli’s move to the Kansas Attorney General’s office marked a new chapter—one where he could shape the legal landscape on a national scale. Joining a new division focused on constitutional litigation, he began working on proactive lawsuits aimed at challenging what he saw as federal overreach.
Among the major legal challenges, he led the fight against President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, which he argued lacked Congressional authorization and set a dangerous precedent. “The Supreme Court had already struck down a previous attempt, yet they tried again through new executive actions,” he explained. “We sued because this overreach not only costs taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars but also sets a dangerous precedent where the executive branch bypasses Congress entirely.”
Kambli also played a central role in halting a federal reinterpretation of Title IX, which would have required schools to allow biological males identifying as females into female spaces and sports teams. “Title IX was originally designed to protect women and girls in education,” he said. “The new rule flipped that on its head.”
For Kambli, these cases are not just about technicalities, rather they reflect a broader concern about executive overreach and the erosion of democratic norms. “There’s an alarming increase in executive overreach,” he warned. “Federal agencies are essentially legislating without congressional approval.”
The Alien Enemies Act: A law reawakened
At the heart of Kambli’s current legal defense lies a statute few Americans had heard of until recently: the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Passed during a time of great uncertainty in early U.S. history, the law gives the president the authority to arrest, detain, or deport nationals from countries considered enemies during times of war or threat.
Historically, it was invoked during the War of 1812, World War I, and in various forms during World War II. Notably, it is the only one of the Alien and Sedition Acts still in force today.
Unlike its sibling laws, the Alien Friends Act and Sedition Acts — the Alien Enemies Act never expired and remains embedded in Title 50 of the U.S. Code.
This month, Trump activated the centuries-old statute to initiate the deportation of undocumented immigrants reportedly connected to Tren de Aragua, a notorious transnational gang from Venezuela. The decision sparked swift legal backlash. Although Judge Boasberg moved quickly to issue an injunction halting the deportation flights, several aircraft had already taken off by the time the order came through. In court, Kambli and other officials argued that the administration had acted within its legal bounds.
Photo Credit: Brennan Centre
Personal convictions and public duty
Though he now operates in the highest echelons of American law, Kambli remains firmly rooted in his values as a family man and a constitutional conservative. He and his wife are raising their two young children, Adelyn, three, and Alexander, just eight months old in the midst of what he acknowledges is a high-pressure career.
His commitment to faith and history continues to shape his worldview. “Understanding history is crucial because so many legal battles require an understanding of historical context,” he said. He also enjoys traveling and grilling a good ribeye steak on the weekends.
Reflecting on his career, Kambli emphasizes the importance of civic awareness. “People need to be informed about what’s happening in their country. When you vote for a president, you’re also voting for the people they appoint to agencies that have a massive impact on daily life.”
As the legal voice of the Trump administration, Abhishek Kambli is poised to remain a defining force in shaping America’s legal battles, steering the contested space between liberty and executive power.
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