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Early Americans Fought Against Deportation and Injustice

4/14/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Early Americans fiercely resisted the British practice of "transportation," which sent criminals to distant colonies. The Declaration of Independence denounced this injustice, while James Madison condemned the Alien and Sedition Acts for permitting the deportation of "alien enemies." Madison's strong stance suggests that the Framers would likely oppose any modern proposals for exiling American citizens.

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Story summary

Early Americans fiercely resisted the British practice of "transportation," which sent criminals to distant colonies. The Declaration of Independence denounced this injustice, while James Madison condemned the Alien and Sedition Acts for permitting the deportation of "alien enemies." Madison's strong stance suggests that the Framers would likely oppose any modern proposals for exiling American citizens.