Internal Security Act (1950)

Sat Sep 23, 1950

On this day in 1950, the Internal Security Act became effective federal U.S. law, compelling communists to register with the state, barring them from state employment, and excluding tens of thousands of immigrants on a political basis.

The Internal Security Act, also known as the "McCarran Act" or the "Concentration Camp Law", required communist organizations to register with the Attorney General, banned communists from working for the government or obtaining a passport, and established the Subversive Activities Control Board to investigate persons suspected of engaging in subversive activities or otherwise promoting the establishment of a "totalitarian dictatorship", fascist or communist.

The law also tightened alien exclusion and deportation laws and allowed for the detention of dangerous, disloyal, or subversive persons in times of war or "internal security emergency", which had a profound affect on immigration.

By March 1st, 1951, the Act had excluded 54,000 people of German ethnic origin and 12,000 displaced Russian persons from entering the United States.

Although the Act is still in effect today, many of its most controversial provisions have been directly repealed or ruled unconstitutional, such as laws regarding detention of political dissidents, banning communists from working for the government, and having to register with the government.

One provision still legal, however, allows the military to "regulate" weapons held by private citizens (50 U.S.C. § 797).

• Date: 1950-09-23
• Learn More: en.wikipedia.org, teachingamericanhistory.org.
• Tags: #Communism.
• Source: www.apeoplescalendar.org