U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono has voiced strong opposition to former President Donald Trump's decision to invoke the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) of 1798, labeling it as an outdated and xenophobic measure. As a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Hirono expressed her concerns through a public statement.
"Relying on draconian laws, such as the Alien Enemies Act, leads to lawsuits and injunctions, while doing nothing to keep our country safe," Hirono stated. She criticized Trump's use of wartime authority during peacetime as an attempt to bypass existing immigration laws without fulfilling necessary criteria.
Hirono highlighted that Trump's actions have already faced legal challenges. "Unsurprisingly, this latest unlawful action by President Trump has already been challenged in court," she noted. The senator emphasized that current immigration laws are sufficient for holding gang members accountable and accused the Trump administration of using this pretext to seek expanded powers that undermine due process.
The AEA is part of the historical "Alien and Sedition Acts" signed by President John Adams in 1798, which targeted immigrants under war-related pretenses. Of the original four bills, only the AEA remains active today, allowing presidential authority over foreign nationals from specific countries during wartime.
Senator Hirono continues her advocacy for comprehensive immigration reform and supports immigrant communities both in Hawaii and nationwide. Earlier this year, alongside Representative Ilhan Omar, she reintroduced the Neighbors Not Enemies Act aimed at repealing the AEA—a bill she has championed across multiple Congresses.