U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, and U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., reintroduced a measure that would repeal the last remaining remnant of a 227-year-old anti-immigration legislative package.
The so-called Alien Enemies Act of 1798 was one of four bills, collectively known as the Alien and Sedition Acts, enacted during Pres. John Adams’ administration. According to the lawmakers, the law has been used to target innocent immigrants, without due process, based on nothing more than national origin.
Pres. Donald Trump has referenced the act while discussing his plans for the mass deportation of people residing in the United States without legal status.
“In his war on immigrants, Donald Trump has made clear that he will stop at nothing to carry out mass deportations, including invoking the archaic, little known Alien Enemies Act of 1798,” Hirono said at a press briefing on Wednesday. “The Neighbors Not Enemies Act would finally repeal this draconian, xenophobic law to prevent immigrants from being deported without basic due process.
“Even though Trump insists that he is targeting ‘foreign gangs’ and ‘criminal networks,’ we know that the deportations won’t end there,” she said. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Representative Omar, as we reaffirm our commitment to continue doing everything we can to protect immigrant communities across the country.”
In the Senate, the legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Cory Booker, D-N.J.; Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.; Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Ed Markey, D-Mass; Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
Hirono originally introduced the bill in 2023. It was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, but no hearing was scheduled.
Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.
