-
Alien Enemies Act: A Fraught and Rarely Used Law
In 1798, during a feared invasion by France, the U.S. government enacted a set of four bills targeting immigrants and noncitizens known as the Alien and Sedition Acts. Three of the four bills either expired or were repealed during President John Adams’ tenure. However, one of the original bills endured — the Alien Enemies Act. This law remains in effect today and allows the sitting president wartime authority to apprehend, intern, and deport immigrants who originate from an “enemy nation.” The Alien Enemies Act has been invoked three times in our nation’s history, each time during a major conflict: the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II.…
-
Q&A About New Executive Orders Concerning Immigration and Deportation
The new presidential administration has issued many executive orders focused on immigration issues since taking office. Some of these executive orders have already begun to impact families and systems, some are being challenged legally, and some will lead to actions and consequences that are not yet known. This brief Q&A intends to answer simple questions with currently available information about terms you might hear or read about in the coming days. Links to additional sources and more information related to each question are included. Q: What is “birthright citizenship”?A: The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868 and reads: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to…
-
Call to Action: Urge Federal Elected Officials and the President to Create Lasting Bipartisan Immigration Solutions That Are Secure, Humane, Efficient, and Focused on Growth
The American people have cast their majority vote, and President-elect Donald Trump will take office this January. As he begins working to enact his immigration campaign promises, we pray for and call on him and other elected officials to ensure future policies and actions are rooted in moral, ethical, practical, and legal principles. Some MWEG leaders are traveling to Capitol Hill in D.C. this week to talk to legislators about immigration and would love to hand deliver your letters that convey your personal convictions on this important and urgent issue! Use our advocacy tool to write a letter to your representatives. Quickly enter your contact information, write your letter, and…
-
Official Statement Regarding Possible Reinstatement of Immigrant Family Detention
On May 11, 2023, the federal COVID-19 public health emergency order will expire, and the use of Title 42 as a mechanism to control immigration will come to an end. In anticipation of an expected increase of migrants and asylum seekers at the border, the Biden administration is reportedly exploring new policies, including a proposed new asylum rule and a potential reinstatement of family detention. Comprehensive immigration reform will be necessary to fully address the challenge of administering our borders. Until that can be achieved, we encourage the president to seek solutions that protect the health and welfare of the vulnerable. The negative impacts — developmental, emotional, and physical —…
-
Call to Action: End Using Title 42 as Border Immigration Policy
In March 2020 the Trump administration implemented Title 42, part of the 1944 Public Health Service Act, which “allows the government to prevent the introduction of individuals during certain public health emergencies.” This policy was not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and has enabled both the Trump and Biden administrations to ignore long-standing norms and laws related to the processing of asylum seekers at the U.S. border. TO DO Contact your members of Congress requesting their support for our administration’s plan to end the use of Title 42 at the border on May 23. You can find instructions and…
-
Afghanistan Immigration: The 3 Secure, Systematic Processes
We are expecting an influx of immigrants from Afghanistan in the coming months and years. The State Department will be processing those Afghans desirous to enter the U.S. in a secure, systematic process. While the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has seemed chaotic and alarming, immigration protocols and safeguards will not be abandoned despite the immediacy needed. The three types of legal entry are Special Immigrant Visas, humanitarian parole, and I-9 refugee status. All three processes include rigorous vetting, but they vary in both process and limitations. As we begin welcoming our Afghan friends into our neighborhoods, we can do so with the assurance that we are welcoming people…
