Letter: Consider the implications

Published 12:00 am Thursday, January 30, 2025

I am writing to express my deep concern about Donald Trump’s plan to reinstate the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This law, passed by President John Adams, allows the president to detain or remove individuals from hostile nations during times of war or invasion.

However, experts argue that the law cannot be used to detain or deport migrants from countries with which the U.S. is not at war.

To understand the context of this law, it’s essential to look at its origins. In 1798, President John Adams signed the Alien Enemies Act as part of a broader set of laws known as the Alien and Sedition Acts. Which abroad for historians, is said to be an abomination of collective laws. These laws were enacted during a time of heightened tensions with France, and Adams saw them as necessary to protect national security.

For example, if Adams had deemed France an enemy nation, he could have used the Alien Enemies Act to detain or deport French citizens living in the United States. However, this law was not intended to be used as a tool for mass deportations or to target specific groups of people.

Thomas Jefferson, who succeeded Adams as president, took a different view of the Alien Enemies Act. Jefferson believed that the law was unconstitutional and an overreach of executive power. In 1802, Jefferson allowed the law to expire, effectively repealing it.

Jefferson’s decision to repeal the Alien Enemies Act was motivated by his commitment to individual liberties and his skepticism of executive power. He believed that the law was a threat to the rights of immigrants and citizens alike, and that it undermined the principles of the Constitution.

Trump’s plan to reinstate the Alien Enemies Act raises many of the same concerns that Jefferson had over two centuries ago. Using this law to detain and deport immigrants without due process would be unconstitutional and a clear abuse of executive power.

The concerns surrounding Trump’s plan are multifaceted. Mass deportations would cause significant humanitarian concerns, including separating families and causing economic disruption.

I urge our elected officials to carefully consider the implications of Trump’s plan and to take steps to prevent its implementation. We must prioritize the safety and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.

— Scott Ketchie

Salisbury