ACLU compares Fort Bliss detention center to WWII internment camps
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) recently drew comparisons between President Franklin Roosevelt’s internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II and the Trump administration’s plan to open a massive detention center at Fort Bliss in Texas. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) strongly refuted this comparison, criticizing the ACLU for prioritizing the concerns of illegal aliens over U.S. citizens.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of DHS dismissed the ACLU’s claims as “deranged and lazy,” emphasizing that ICE targets dangerous criminals such as murderers, gang members, pedophiles, and rapists. McLaughlin highlighted that the majority of ICE arrests are of criminal illegal aliens with convictions or pending charges, not innocent individuals.
As Fort Bliss prepared to open its detention center, the ACLU’s regional affiliates released a statement condemning the move as “shameful” and part of President Trump’s “dystopian” mass-deportation agenda. The ACLU called on Congress to intervene and halt DHS’ plans, expressing concerns about the impact on immigrant communities.
Fort Bliss, historically significant for holding small numbers of German and Italian immigrants during World War II, is now set to accommodate up to 5,000 detainees. Senator John Cornyn of Texas visited the facility and stated that those detained were under final deportation orders and had no legal right to remain in the U.S. However, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar disagreed, criticizing the high cost of the facility and its impact on her district’s resources.
The contentious debate surrounding Fort Bliss’ detention center reflects broader tensions over immigration enforcement and national security. The complex history of Fort Bliss, from its role in World War II to the War on Terror, underscores the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding immigration policy in the United States.
