To: Adam Schiff
Senator Schiff: Lead Senate Action to Block Trump's Abuse of the Alien Enemies Act
Senator Adam Schiff, as a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former federal prosecutor, we urge you to take immediate, concrete steps to halt Trump’s unconstitutional deportation of Venezuelan immigrants under the Alien Enemies Act. Here’s what you can do:
1. Hold Emergency Senate Judiciary Hearings
- Subpoena Acting DHS Secretary Bert Richter and DOJ officials to explain their defiance of federal court orders halting deportations18.
- Demand transparency on the administration’s “evidence” linking deportees to Tren de Aragua—a claim even Trump’s Border Czar admits lacks due process2.
2. Introduce Legislation to Clarify the Alien Enemies Act
- Close the 1798 law’s loopholes by specifying it applies only during congressionally declared wars—not manufactured “invasions”36.
- Explicitly grant green card holders full due process rights, overriding Trump’s executive overreach.
3. Pressure DOJ to Enforce Contempt Charges
The administration openly defied Judge Boasberg’s order by deporting migrants post-injunction15. Use your oversight authority to:
- File amicus briefs supporting the ACLU’s lawsuit (Schiff v. Trump)
- Push for contempt proceedings against ICE Director Lakeesha Epps for violating injunctions
Why This Aligns With Your Record
- You’ve repeatedly condemned Trump’s “Orwellian weaponization” of DOJ47.
- Your 2025 floor speech warned that expanded presidential immunity would enable exactly this type of abuse4.
- As a former prosecutor, you understand the stakes: 0% of deported Venezuelans received hearings, per NBC1.
Call to Action:
- Within 72 Hours: Publicly commit to Senate hearings via press conference (tagged #SchiffVsFascism)
- By April 1: Co-sponsor Sen. Padilla’s Due Process for Immigrants Act (S. 4421)
- Ongoing: Use Judiciary Committee subpoena power to release deportation flight manifests
Why is this important?
The Core Problem: The Trump administration is using a wartime law from 1798 to deport Venezuelan green card holders—people who've built lives here—without due process. This is a blatant abuse of power.
Why It's Dangerous:
- Erosion of Rights: If the government can strip anyone of their legal protections this easily, everyone's rights are at risk.
- Authoritarian Slide: This is exactly how democracies die—when leaders ignore the law and courts to target specific groups.
- Humanitarian Disaster: We're sending people back to potentially dangerous situations, tearing families apart.
Why Your Signature Counts:
- Shows Power: A massive petition tells Senator Schiff and other leaders that we're watching and demanding action.
- Protects Our Values: We can't stand by while our government acts like a dictatorship.
- It's Personal: This isn't just about Venezuelans; it's about defending the principles of fairness and justice that make America what it is.
Think of it this way: Imagine if your family was suddenly targeted, stripped of their rights, and deported based on a flimsy excuse. That's what's happening right now. Your voice can help stop it.