As an organization committed to justice, COPAL rejects the ongoing campaign of fear targeting immigrant communities and the dangerous effort to revive the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The proposed use of this wartime-era law is a severe escalation that threatens due process, civil liberties, and the safety of all immigrant communities—Latine or otherwise. “Under the Alien Enemies Act, immigrants would be denied court hearings and asylum interviews, as their cases would fall under emergency, wartime authority—not immigration law. Instead, they could be detained and deported, under Title 50, the section of U.S. law governing war and defense, with little to no due process.:” said Ryan Perez, Director of Organizing at COPAL,
The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 is still active and could be enforced through executive action at any time, allowing the president to label entire immigrant groups as “enemy aliens.” The consequences would be catastrophic: stripping them of their right to due process and fast-tracking mass deportations without judicial oversight, entire communities could be criminalized, and it could open the door for widespread civil rights abuses—threatening not just immigrants, but the values of justice and democracy we all hold dear. The last time this law was invoked, it led to the forced internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, tearing families apart, stripping people of their homes and businesses, and leaving a deep scar on American history. If reactivated today, it would set a devastating precedent, allowing the government to bypass constitutional protections and detain individuals based solely on nationality or a perceived threat.
This should alarm all Americans, not just immigrants. History has repeatedly shown that when governments weaponize wartime powers in the name of “security” against specific communities, it often leads to racial profiling, mass surveillance, and the erosion of civil rights for all. The fear and trauma of unjust persecution would not only affect Latine immigrants but also Middle Eastern, African, and Asian communities, deepening divisions and threatening the very fabric of American society.
“This is not just about policy, it is about families, livelihoods, and the fundamental values we claim to uphold as a nation.” Perez added.
COPAL vehemently opposes any attempt to exploit war powers for mass deportations. We reject policies that criminalize immigrants, sow fear, and erode the principles of justice. We call on all communities—regardless of background—to resist and stand against this attack on civil rights and demand policies that uphold dignity, due process, and humanity. Justice must not be sacrificed in the name of fear.
COPAL will continue to fight for a Minnesota where all people, regardless of origin, are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect. And we invite the civil society to express their condemnation of the Revival of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
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COPAL Minnesota is a membership-based organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latine communities in Minnesota. For more information, visit www.copalmn.org
