Political Quotes

On the recordJanuary 30, 2017
in just a few weeks, our great country will mark the 75th anniversary of President Roosevelt's Executive order authorizing the internment of hundreds of thousands of Japanese, German, and Italian Americans during World War II. They were rounded up with their families and held behind barbed wire like war criminals. But they had done nothing wrong; their crime was being Japanese, German, or Italian. They were labeled ``enemy aliens.'' Mark Twain reportedly said that history doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme, and this seems to be the path the President has pursued with his Muslim ban. This ban has already harmed green card holders, students, business people, and those fleeing violence and persecution. Remember, these are the people fleeing the violence, not the perpetrators of the violence. They are the victims, not the criminals. They have been pulled from their flights, left stranded in the airports. They have been detained without the ability to talk with a lawyer. And they are wondering if the United States of America is still the beacon of hope, the lamp by the golden door, the shining city on the hill. Iraqis who risked their lives to serve our country as translators saw their visas revoked. An 11-month-old baby was detained. That is disgusting. It is un-American. It is contrary to everything we stand for. We stand for providing refuge for those who want to escape their own awful circumstances and live in freedom and opportunity.…
Said by
Brian Schatz
Democratic · Hawaii

Share

More from Brian Schatz

Jun 24, 2026

People in Hawai‘i and all across the country are struggling just to get by right now.

schatz.senate.gov
Jun 24, 2026

These health centers are essential for keeping local families healthy.

schatz.senate.gov
Jun 24, 2026

This is good news for Hawai‘i. This money helps thousands of young kids develop learning skills and gives local families more affordable child care options.

schatz.senate.gov
Jul 22, 2026

Our new law will now mean they no longer have to wait.

schatz.senate.gov

Other voices in this conversation