Trump plans to use the 18th century “Alien Enemies Act” for mass deportations

From diminishing reproductive rights to pardoning those convicted of participating in the 2021 attack on the Capitol, there are many many, many reasons scared Donald Trump won another term in office. Very high on that list? His oath to “carry out the largest operation of internal deportation in United States history,” which he apparently plans to do by invoking an 18th-century law previously used in wartime.

Axios report that the former president detailed the mechanism through which he would deport millions of people: the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, signed by John Adams and allowing the government to detain and deport immigrants when “a war is declared between the United States.” countries and any foreign country or government.” This act, as the outlet notes, has only been invoked three times—during the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II—and can also be used if “any invasion or incursion any predatory nature made, attempted or threatened against.” territory of the United States by any foreign nation or government.”

During a campaign stop in Aurora, Colorado last week, Trump said he planned to use the 226-year-old law to target “every criminal illegal immigrant network operating on American soil.” ”. While it cannot be used against American citizens, the children of immigrants born in the United States — including those who came to the country legally — can still be detained. Katherine Yon Ebright, counsel at the Brennan Center’s National Security and Liberty Program, told Axios that the Alien Enemy Act is an archaic law that can be used to infringe on people’s constitutional rights – which may explain why Trump is a fan. In a statement, the Trump campaign’s national press secretary told the news outlet that the former president will indeed oversee mass deportations during his second term, adding that he plans to using mechanisms such as the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to do so.

During his first term, Trump not only went after undocumented immigrants but also significantly cracked down on undocumented immigrants. legal immigration. Last March, he said he would order mass deportations on “day one” in the White House, noting that his administration would “start with the bad guys.”

During the vice presidential debate in October, J.D. Vance used to be request twice if he and Trump “deport parents who entered the United States illegally and separate them from any of their children born on American soil,” with the candidate rejecting both opportunities responded with a resounding “no.” Trump also has it speak he would deport Haitian migrants living legally in Springfield, Ohio.