Durbin, Padilla, Raskin, Jayapal Statement On SCOTUS Alien Enemies Act Ruling

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee; and U.S. Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee; and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, issued the following statement after the Supreme Court lifted a hold on removals under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798:

“The Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump Administration to move forward with deporting people under the Alien Enemies Act—an archaic wartime law—will unquestionably harm people caught up in this oppressive nightmare.

“This decision also leaves unanswered whether the President’s dangerous and unprecedented invocation of the wartime authority to go after immigrants was lawful in the first place.

“Although the Court unanimously agreed that deportations without due process are illegal, the reality is the Trump Administration has been rapidly and erroneously deporting people and has taken the position that those erroneously deported may be confined to foreign prisons with no redress. The Court’s requirement that challenges occur through individual habeas petitions will make it very difficult for people to successfully challenge their removals before they happen.

“We will be watching closely to ensure that the Administration complies with the Court’s order and will continue to fight against the illegal invocation of the Alien Enemies Act.”

Durbin, Padilla, and U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Peter Welch (D-VT) previously issued a joint statement slamming President Trump for his attempted invocation of the Alien Enemies Act to deport noncitizens without due process. Durbin and Padilla are also cosponsors of the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, legislation that would repeal the antiquated wartime law.

More like this:

Senate Democrats Urge Justice Department To Reject Payouts For January 6 Rioters

Yesterday

Durbin Statement On The Supreme Court Decision In Trump V. Cook Denying The President’s Efforts To Fire Federal Governor Lisa Cook

Jun 29, 2026

Durbin Blasts Supreme Court Ruling On Firing Of Independent Agency Officials

Jun 29, 2026

Congressional Democrats Challenge Trump Administration’s Green Card Application Changes

Jun 30, 2026

Durbin Blasts Supreme Court Ruling Allowing End Of TPS For Syrians And Haitians

Jun 26, 2026