1. Denial of Due Process: The raids were carried out without warrants or legal justification. Individuals were arrested and detained without any evidence of criminal activity, and many were held for extended periods without trial or access to legal counsel. This violated their right to due process and fair trial as guaranteed by the Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
2. Discrimination and Bias: The Palmer Raids disproportionately targeted foreign-born individuals, particularly immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe who were often associated with radical political movements. This discriminatory practice violated the principle of equal protection under the law and the Fourteenth Amendment, which prohibits states from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
3. Free Speech and Association: The raids aimed to suppress free speech and association, particularly among labor organizers and political dissidents. Many individuals were targeted simply for their membership in labor unions or their association with left-wing political groups, even if they had not engaged in any illegal activities. This violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and assembly.
4. Detention and Deportation: Thousands of individuals were arrested and held in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions during the Palmer Raids. Many were later deported without proper legal procedures or given the chance to challenge their detention. This arbitrary deprivation of liberty violated their rights to due process and freedom of movement.
The Palmer Raids were a significant infringement on civil rights and constitutional liberties in the United States. They led to widespread criticism of Palmer's methods and ultimately contributed to a backlash against the Red Scare sentiment that had fueled them.