Senator Marco Rubio Emphasizes Alien Enemies Act’s Role in Protecting Americans from Foreign Threats

Senator Marco Rubio Emphasizes Alien Enemies Act’s Role in Protecting Americans from Foreign Threats

The Aliens Act of 1798 was created with a clear purpose: to act as a shield against foreign adversaries, criminal enterprises, and individuals aiming to harm the United States. The Founding Fathers understood a fundamental truth that contemporary lawmakers must remember. Every nation possesses not only the right but the responsibility to defend itself. Neglecting this duty invites risks, allowing vile criminal elements to flourish and turning a nation into a battleground for conflicts originating elsewhere.

Before the current administration’s actions, the United States had been a sanctuary for criminals such as Adrian Rafael Gamez Finol, Miguel Oyola Jimenez, and Edgar Javier Benitez Rubio. These individuals are members of Tren de Aragua, an organization implicated in the kidnapping, torture, and murder of Ronald Ojeda in Chile. Ojeda was a political refugee and a lieutenant in the Venezuelan army who opposed the brutal dictatorship under Nicolás Maduro and aspired to return to his homeland one day. Sadly, that dream was cut short, and rather than facing justice, his murderers took refuge within the United States.

President Trump’s implementation of the Alien Enemies Act signals a turning point. It offers hope that Ronald Ojeda’s family may finally find justice in Chile, and the dangers posed by these murderers to American citizens will be reduced.

Understanding the Threat from Tren de Aragua

Members of Tren de Aragua exemplify the kind of threats the Founding Fathers aimed to address with the Alien Enemies Act. These individuals are not just criminals; they belong to a Foreign Terrorist Organization that has infiltrated the United States, engaging in activities that directly threaten public safety. Their connection to a foreign government, specifically the Venezuelan regime, underscores the severity of their actions.

Tren de Aragua collaborates with the Cártel de los Soles, the Venezuelan government’s narco-terrorism arm, reinforcing the idea that this organization operates in conjunction with a hostile foreign power. The relationship between Tren de Aragua and Venezuelan authorities raises serious questions about organized crime and national security.

The Impact of Foreign Criminal Organizations

Critics of the Alien Enemies Act often assert that it is both unnecessary and unjust, claiming that the United States can handle deportations on a case-by-case basis. However, the continuing presence of individuals like Gamez Finol, Oyola Jimenez, and Benitez Rubio in the U.S. challenges that viewpoint. Detractors overlook how organized crime operates, where each member, regardless of their role, contributes to the overall criminal objectives.

Joining Tren de Aragua is not a matter of choice for personal enjoyment; the organization selectively admits individuals based on their capacity to advance its criminal agenda against the United States. Therefore, utilizing the Alien Enemies Act to expedite the deportation of these members reflects a broader strategy to combat organized crime, rather than a judgment on the actions of individuals.

Decisive Actions in National Defense

The passage of the Alien Enemies Act stemmed from the Founding Fathers’ recognition that decisive action is essential when confronting threats posed by hostile foreign actors. In the late 1790s, the emergence of criminal gangs in France led to a transatlantic problem as these elements sought refuge in America, complicating matters of justice and safety.

The U.S. government understood the complexity of categorizing these groups. The priority remained on preventing any form of foreign army from operating within American borders, viewing such threats as unacceptable regardless of internal divisions within those organizations.

Addressing Foreign Influence and Criminality

The interconnectedness of foreign criminal organizations and their impact on U.S. sovereign interests cannot be dismissed. Critics often point to events like the arrest of Tareck El Aissami, a former Vice President of Venezuela, as proof that previous affiliations somehow negate the threat posed by Tren de Aragua. This logic is flawed, as criminal organizations do not dissolve simply due to a change in foreign leadership.

The ongoing violence and campaigns of terror led by Tren de Aragua illustrate that these entities actively wage a murder campaign across the Americas, serving the interests of a foreign regime. Therefore, it is imperative for the United States to take strong, legally sound measures to expel any individuals involved in such criminal enterprises.

Commitment to American Safety

As Secretary of State, I reaffirm my commitment to utilizing every available resource to ensure the safety of the American people and safeguard our nation from external threats. The Alien Enemies Act remains a crucial tool in this ongoing effort, designed specifically to empower the President to act decisively against threats posed by foreign terrorist armies.

In keeping with the principles espoused by the Founding Fathers, it is essential to use this law to defend our homeland from those who wish to exploit its freedoms for malicious purposes. The United States must remain vigilant and resolute in expelling foreign elements that seek to undermine our security and wellbeing.

Protecting America requires unwavering dedication to our core values and the courage to confront dangerous threats. As long as the Alien Enemies Act exists, I will advocate for its usage to its fullest extent to defend our nation.