As the Trump administration rolls out sweeping immigration changes, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and the Minneapolis City Council have joined forces in a bold stand against expanded deportation powers.

The leaders are urging Congress to pass the Neighbours Not Enemies Act, a bill Omar introduced alongside Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).

The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the Alien Enemies Act of 1798,

A law that grants the president the authority to deport immigrants based solely on their nationality during times of war or invasion-without due process.

At a press conference on January 28, Omar condemned the act as unconstitutional and deeply harmful to immigrant communities.

“Thousands of families will have their lives upended because of Donald Trump’s actions,” she stated.

“It is important to recognize that this will not happen because of anything they have done, but simply because of where they were born.”

A Community Unites Against Deportation Threats

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and members of the City Council echoed Omar’s concerns, calling the law outdated and unjust.

“This Alien Enemies Act is archaic, wrong-headed, and allows people to be detained and deported,” Frey emphasized.

“It runs against our values in Minnesota and should have been repealed long ago.”

Legal experts like Eric Schwartz, a University of Minnesota professor in Global Policy, warned that the law has historically been used to target immigrants during wartime, including in World War I and World War II.

He cautioned that vague language in the statute—such as “invasion” and “predatory incursion”—could allow a president to broadly justify deportations, even in situations unrelated to traditional warfare.

The urgency of this push comes as Trump’s immigration enforcement policies grow increasingly aggressive.

Within his first two weeks in office, his administration has granted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers broader authority, including permission to enter “sensitive” locations like churches and schools.

Community activists, including Colleen Riley of the Minnesota Immigrants Rights Committee, have raised alarms about escalating fears among immigrants.

“We are seeing several community members who are very concerned about raids at their schools or workplaces,” Riley revealed.

The Fight Ahead for Immigration Reform

Council Member Aurin Chowdhury (Ward 12), the daughter of Bengali immigrants, stressed that the issue is personal for her.

“This is just one step we are taking as a council,” she affirmed.

“We are exploring additional ways to strengthen local legislation and support the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.”

However, with a Republican-controlled House and Senate, Schwartz acknowledged that passing the Neighbours Not Enemies Act remains an uphill battle.

Despite the challenges, he believes Minnesota will continue to play a critical role in shaping national immigration policy.

“Minnesota officials have considerable avenues to promote the values of inclusion and support for immigrants and refugees,” Schwartz stated.

As the Trump administration tightens immigration laws,

Minneapolis leaders are making it clear—they stand with immigrants and will fight to protect their rights.