Colorado Senate adopts resolution denouncing proposed use of Alien Enemies Act and recalls WWII incarceration

Senate Resolution 5, introduced by Senator Gonzales, was adopted by the Colorado Senate on Feb. 19 after an amendment that acknowledged the suffering of Japanese Americans during World War II.

The resolution expresses disapproval of the federal government's proposed use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to target noncitizens and calls on Colorado’s governor and congressional delegation to act, including asking U.S. senators to support federal legislation called the Neighbors Not Enemies Act to repeal the Alien Enemies Act. "With great respect, I ask that L001 be adopted," Senator Gonzales said as she moved the amendment that remained consistent with the resolution’s central concerns.

Why it matters: sponsors and several senators said the resolution links present-day federal rhetoric and executive actions to historic violations of civil liberties, including the World War II-era forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans. Senator Judah, a co-prime sponsor, noted the presence of survivors and descendants in the gallery and said the history "lives on" for Colorado communities that hosted internment sites such as Amache.

Debate and amendments: Senator Gonzales moved amendment L001 to explicitly acknowledge the pain of wartime incarceration; the amendment was adopted and incorporated into the resolution. Senator Weisman and other senators spoke in support, describing language and policy choices as having real-world impacts on immigrant communities. The Senate also heard testimony or remarks recognizing survivors and community organizations present in the Capitol.

Formal action: the floor record shows the amendment L001 to SR 5 was adopted (recorded in the transcript as adopted with 34 yes, 0 no, 0 absent, 0 excused and 1 vacant at the time the amendment vote was announced). The amended resolution was then put to a final vote and is recorded in the floor proceedings as adopted.

What the resolution asks: SR 5 (as amended) calls on the governor to speak in solidarity with immigrant communities, asks Colorado’s U.S. senators to support the Neighbors Not Enemies Act in the U.S. Senate, and urges Colorado’s members of the U.S. House to sign on to the companion House bill. The resolution also recounts historical uses of the Alien Enemies Act and Executive Order 9066 and cites Camp Amache in Colorado as a reminder of the wartime incarceration program.

Context and next steps: The resolution is a formal statement of the Colorado Senate’s position; it does not create state law or change federal authority. The resolution also functions as a public record urging federal action and state executive statements.