Fact Check: "The United States has been invaded and parts of it have been conquered."
What We Know
The claim that "The United States has been invaded and parts of it have been conquered" appears to stem from a proclamation made by the President of the United States, asserting that there is an ongoing invasion at the southern border due to illegal immigration. This proclamation cites the need for the federal government to fulfill its constitutional obligation to protect states against invasion, as outlined in Article IV, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution (Guaranteeing The States Protection Against Invasion). The proclamation argues that the influx of illegal aliens poses significant risks to public health and national security, and that the federal government has failed to control the situation effectively.
However, the term "invasion" in this context is highly contentious and is used to describe a situation of illegal immigration rather than a military or territorial conquest. Critics of this interpretation argue that it misrepresents the legal and constitutional definitions of invasion, which traditionally refer to armed incursions by foreign powers (March 11 - judiciary.senate.gov).
Analysis
The proclamation's assertion of an "invasion" is primarily based on the significant number of individuals crossing the southern border illegally, which the President claims overwhelms the existing immigration system (Guaranteeing The States Protection Against Invasion). However, the use of the term "invasion" is not supported by a legal framework that defines such a situation as a military conquest or occupation.
Critics, including legal scholars and political analysts, argue that this interpretation is a political maneuver rather than a factual representation of the situation. They emphasize that while illegal immigration is a complex issue that requires attention, it does not equate to an invasion in the traditional sense (March 11 - judiciary.senate.gov). Furthermore, the proclamation has been met with skepticism regarding its implications for civil rights and immigration policy, suggesting that it could lead to increased militarization of the border and further stigmatization of immigrants (March 11 - judiciary.senate.gov).
The sources used to support the claim, particularly the proclamation itself, come from a government perspective that may carry inherent biases. The proclamation is a political document that aims to rally support for specific immigration policies, which raises questions about its objectivity and reliability as a factual source.
Conclusion
The claim that "The United States has been invaded and parts of it have been conquered" is False. While there is a significant issue with illegal immigration at the southern border, the use of the term "invasion" is a mischaracterization that does not align with traditional definitions of invasion or conquest. The situation described does not involve military forces or territorial occupation, and the proclamation's framing serves more as a political statement than a factual assertion.
Sources
- Guaranteeing The States Protection Against Invasion
- March 11 - judiciary.senate.gov
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- Conquest Is Back
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- State of Emergency: The Third World Invasion and Conquest of America
- Trump's threats to Greenland, Canada and Panama