The Alien Enemies Act paved the way for the incarceration of my family (George Takei)

Email today:

On March 14, Donald Trump signed a proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act to carry out his mass deportations. The last time this law was invoked was during World War II, when it was weaponized to pave the way for the incarceration of Japanese Americans, including my family. Now, I see history echoing in disturbing ways.

I was only a child when my parents and I were forcibly removed from our home and placed in internment camps without charge or trial – what we call due process – and branded as enemies solely because of our ancestry. That dark chapter in American history left scars that persist to this day.

That is why I stand with the ACLU in fighting to prevent these injustices from happening again. And that is why I'm asking you to make a donation to support their critical work.

I see history echoing in disturbing ways, as the government attempts to invoke the very same law to carry out mass deportations – again, without charge or trial, stripping individuals of due process.

We must learn from the past, not repeat it. The erosion of rights and the targeting of communities based on fear and prejudice must be challenged at every turn.

The ACLU has already filed ten cases in federal courts across the country to challenge President Trump's attempts to deport people to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act. Your donation will help fuel their fight to protect our civil rights and liberties.

Thank you for standing with us,

George Takei