Rep. Juan Vargas, Colleagues Reintroduce the Neighbors Not Enemies Act to Repeal Alien Enemies Act
WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52) joined his colleagues in reintroducing the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, legislation to fully repeal the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 (AEA). Part of the "Alien and Sedition Acts," the AEA is the only remaining law from this deeply problematic set of statutes that targeted immigrants under the guise of national security. While the other three acts have expired or been repealed, the AEA remains in effect, granting sweeping powers to the president to detain or deport foreign nationals from a specific country.
“The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 is a draconian, wartime law that gives presidents unprecedented powers to deport immigrants without a court hearing or an asylum interview. Now, Trump is threatening to exploit this outdated law to carry out his mass detention and deportation plans,” said Rep. Juan Vargas. “We’ve already seen innocent families and hard-working people with no criminal record swept up in his anti-immigrant agenda. We need to pass this bill to protect the rights and due process of immigrants here in San Diego County and across the country.”
The Alien Enemies Act allows the president to unilaterally determine how and if all foreign nationals from a specific country should be “apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed” during times of war or “imminent threat.” This provision has enabled the abuse of executive power, allowing entire groups of people to be targeted based solely on their national origin, including the internment of Japanese Americans and nationals during World War II.
The Neighbors Not Enemies Act would prevent administrations from exploiting this archaic law to sow division and harm immigrant communities.
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