Columbia Standard

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, alongside Senators Alex Padilla, Cory Booker, and Peter Welch, expressed their concerns regarding President Trump's recent invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The President's action aims to deport noncitizens without due process, a move not seen since World War II.

The Senators released a statement highlighting their stance: “Over the weekend, President Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport noncitizens without due process. This attempt to use an archaic wartime law—not used since World War II—for immigration enforcement is yet another unlawful and brazen power grab."

They emphasized that the United States is not at war and that immigrants are not invading the country. "Furthermore, courts determine whether people have broken the law—not a president acting alone," they stated. The group stressed the importance of constitutional protections to prevent wrongful deportations or punishments.

A District Court has already issued a temporary restraining order against the administration's actions under this law, halting ongoing deportation flights and ordering their return to U.S. soil. The Senators underscored the need for accountability: “All of us, including the courts, must continue to hold this Administration accountable.”

Previously, Durbin led efforts challenging what he termed as President Trump's "sham 'invasion' proclamation" which sought to bypass domestic immigration laws. Earlier in the year, Durbin also cosponsored legislation aimed at repealing the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.