Sen. Richard Durbin and three other leading Democrats in Congress sent a letter to the White House criticizing President Donald Trump’s proclamation on Inauguration Day declaring illegal immigration as an invasion. They argued that this interpretation of the Constitution could lead to legal action. The proclamation has been used to restrict access to asylum for immigrants crossing the border. Trump’s transition team had suggested using the Alien Enemies Act to target immigrants, but this has not yet been triggered. The letter called on Trump to rescind the proclamation and work with Congress on immigration reform.
The letter stated that Trump’s use of the term “invasion” in reference to immigrants crossing the border misuses the constitutional definition of the term, which typically refers to an armed attack by a foreign power. The letter argued that Trump’s claims of unilateral presidential power over immigration based on the term “invasion” are unfounded and threaten civil liberties and the constitutional separation of powers. The ACLU has challenged the Trump administration’s asylum policy in federal court, arguing that immigrants seeking asylum are not invading the country as claimed.
The letter from Durbin and other Democrats, along with the ACLU and the Brennan Center, highlighted concerns about Trump’s expansion of presidential power and urged him to reconsider his approach to immigration. Trump has focused on border security and deportations but has not pursued new legislation on immigration reform. This letter represents a strong rebuke of Trump’s immigration policies and the potential legal implications of his actions.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
