I am writing to urge you to cosponsor and publicly endorse H.R. 630, the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, introduced by Rep. Ilhan Omar. This crucial bill would repeal the Alien Enemies Act—Sections 4067 through 4070 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (50 U.S.C. 21–24)—a relic of xenophobic wartime policy that continues to pose a dangerous threat to immigrant communities today.
Originally enacted in 1798 as part of the Alien and Sedition Acts, the Alien Enemies Act has a long history of misuse. It was used to justify the internment of Japanese, German, and Italian Americans during World War II and remains the only part of those infamous laws still on the books. Despite its antiquated origin, this statute was revived by the Trump administration to target Venezuelan migrants—feeding into xenophobic rhetoric and policies under the guise of national security.
Even more disturbing, this law is now being used to target legal residents—not for any wrongdoing, but to silence political dissent and free speech. There are already many legal residents that have been detained and are being threatened with deportation under this statute in retaliation for political views, including opposition to authoritarian regimes. This sets a terrifying precedent and fundamentally undermines the First Amendment and due process protections.
Repealing the Alien Enemies Act is not only about correcting the injustices of the past—it is a necessary safeguard against future abuses. Supporting H.R. 630 signals a commitment to constitutional rights, civil liberties, and a rejection of policies rooted in fear and racism. This bill is about ensuring that no community is ever again labeled as “the enemy” based on their country of origin or their political beliefs.
I urge you to join your colleagues in cosponsoring this important legislation of you haven’t already, and to speak out publicly in support of its passage.
First sent on April 19 by BlueCollarJew
