Neighbors Not Enemies Act of 2021 (H.R. 3621)

REVISE** only public domain images.

REVISE** only public domain images.

At the start of 2021, Representative Ilhan Omar [D-MN-5] reintroduced the Neighbors Not Enemies Act of 2021 into the 117th Congress. The legislation looks to fully repeal the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Find the bill text and list of current co-sponsors here.

Introduced as one of the four bills which made up the Alien Sedation Acts, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, an outdated immigration law, remains in effect today, leading to the further perpetuation of xenophobia in the United States.

Alien Sedation Acts

The Alien Sedation Acts made up four bills:

  1. Naturalization Act

  2. Alien Enemies Act

  3. Alien Act

  4. Sedition Act

Historical background of the Alien Sedation Acts (REVISIT - Further research)

  • On the verge of war with France in 1798 ( Federalists feared foreign nationals, believing they would side with the French)

  • 1941 used as a way to justify Japanese Incarceration

  • Also during WWII used to justify the imprisonment of Germans and Italians (FOLLOW UP, stats? Location(s)?)

Present day

  • Justification of Muslim Ban 2017

Japanese American Solidarity

Get Involved!

  • Contact your states Representatives and Senators and ask them to support the bill (Click here to view your states Congressional members and their contact information )

  • Follow-up w/ Cheyenne + David

Videos

  • Ilhan Omar?

  • Japanese American Discussion?

The following organizations support H.R. 3621