The reintroduction of the Neighbors Not Enemies Act by U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar aims to repeal the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a remnant of the Alien and Sedition Acts, which Hirono and Omar argue has been used to unjustly target immigrants based solely on their national origin. This act, part of a broader package enacted during President John Adams’ administration, has come under renewed scrutiny, especially with former President Donald Trump’s references to it in discussions about mass deportation.
Hirono highlighted that the law has been used to deport immigrants without due process, reinforcing the need for legal protections for immigrant communities. The bill is cosponsored by several prominent Democrats, including Sens. Cory Booker, Tammy Duckworth, Dick Durbin, and Elizabeth Warren, and continues the push to protect immigrants, especially those without legal status, from potentially harsh deportation measures.
The bill, originally introduced in 2023, was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee but has not yet received a hearing. This effort reflects ongoing tensions in the debate around immigration policy and the balance between national security and immigrant rights.