Border czar Homan schools reporter for referring to Alien Enemies Act as 'old law,' cites U.S. Constitution
Border Czar Tom Homan pushed back at criticism of the Trump administration invoking a law from 1798 by noting that the U.S. constitution, which is even older, is still revered.
Border czar Tom Homan turned the tables on a reporter after being questioned about the Alien Enemies Act used by the Trump administration.
In order to address dangerous migrants, President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which allows deportation of natives and citizens of an enemy nation without a hearing. This law has been invoked three times, during the War of 1812, World War I and World War II.
As a result, all Venezuelan citizens 14 years or older who are members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua (TdA), who are within the United States and are not naturalized, or lawful permanent residents, may be apprehended, restrained, secured and removed as "alien enemies," according to Trump's proclamation.
Border czar Tom Homan defends the Trump administration's choice to invoke the Alien Enemies Act.
TOM HOMAN WARNS MAJOR SANCTUARY STATE WILL ‘GET EXACTLY WHAT THEY DON’T WANT'
"What do you say to those who claim you’re using a 200-year-old law to circumvent due process?" a reporter asked Homan on Monday.
"An old law?" Homan asked. "Not as old as the Constitution. We still pay attention to that, don’t we?"
Homan then proceeded to shake his head and walk away from the gaggle of reporters.
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Alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang have made headlines for overtaking an apartment building in Aurora, Colorado, charging rent in exchange for "protection." (Edward Romero)
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The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 was created 227 years ago, while the Constitution of the United States was ratified approximately ten years earlier in 1788.
Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, cheered Homan for the confrontation, noting that the exchange speaks volumes.
"It’s ironic that the left screams about the Constitution… until WE start enforcing it," he wrote.
Fox News' Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.