Quincy Reporter

Mary Miller, the representative for Illinois' 15th Congressional District, said that President Trump was elected with a clear mandate to enhance America's safety by deporting foreign terrorists, whom she claims President Biden allowed into the country illegally. This statement was shared in a Facebook post.

"President Trump was elected with a clear mandate from the American people to make America SAFE again by deporting the foreign terrorists Biden allowed into our country ILLEGALY," said Mary E. Miller, U.S. Representative of Illinois's 15th congressional district (R), according to Facebook. "The Supreme Court must stop standing in the way and LET President Donald J. Trump DO HIS JOB!"

According to Miller's post, it included a link to a Fox News article discussing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling issued on April 19. The ruling temporarily blocked the deportation of Venezuelan migrants held in northern Texas, citing an 18th-century law as the legal basis for their detention. The decision followed an emergency appeal from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which argued that the federal government was improperly using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport migrants.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Mary Miller's April 19 Facebook post | U.S. Rep. Mary Miller's Facebook page

The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 grants the president authority to detain or deport nationals of enemy nations during wartime or when a foreign government poses a threat to the United States. It has been invoked three times in U.S. history: during the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II. The act played a significant role in detaining and expelling immigrants from countries such as Germany, Austria-Hungary, Japan, and Italy based on their ancestry.

The U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision early on Saturday, April 19, halting the deportation of a second wave of Venezuelans detained in northern Texas who had been classified as "alien enemies." Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented from the majority opinion, according to Politico. Former President Trump had invoked the Alien Enemies Act to deport individuals he identified as part of the Tren de Aragua gang, which he labels a terrorist organization. Earlier this month, the court ruled that individuals designated as "alien enemies" must be given notice and a fair opportunity to challenge their deportation in court.

Miller currently represents Illinois' 15th Congressional District in Congress after succeeding John Shimkus in 2021. Born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1959, she graduated with a BA from Eastern Illinois University. At age 63, she resides in Oakland with her husband and operates their fourth-generation family farm.