Trump's use of wartime law against migrants alarms Japanese Americans

Descendants warn of repeating history with provision last invoked in World War II

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Salvadoran police officers escort alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua deported by the U.S. government to a prison.  © Reuters

JACK STONE TRUITT

NEW YORK -- U.S. President Donald Trump turned to a centuries-old law last used to establish World War II internment camps in expelling Venezuelan migrants this month, shocking and angering many Japanese Americans.

Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act on March 15 to deport people the administration claimed to belong to Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Three planes flew more than 200 alleged members to a megaprison in El Salvador, despite a temporary blocking order by a federal judge.

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