NILC Statement on Trump’s Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
March 15, 2025 

CONTACT  
Email: [email protected]   
Adrian Escárate, 202-609-9976  
Emily Morris, 213-457-7458  

NILC Statement on Trump’s Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act 

WASHINGTON — Kica Matos, president of the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act: 

“This is both unprecedented and blatantly illegal. The use of this wartime authority has a shameful history that includes its use to round up Japanese, German, and Italian people without due process during World War II. In his desperate attempt to carry out an immoral plan to round up millions of immigrants – sweeping up citizens in the process – the president has clearly abandoned any and all pretense of following the law.  

“In the face of this latest assault on our rights, Congress must rediscover its spine, reassert its constitutional prerogative, and repeal this disgraceful authority. In the meantime, NILC stands ready to defend our communities from this extreme and lawless president.” 

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