My biggest concern here is that they legally and constitutionally cannot do this…but the administration doesn’t really seem to care. They are ignoring judge’s rulings, already deporting without due process, defeated Jayapal’s amendment, and the president is protected from any act committed while in office. What’s actually going to stop them when they seem hellbent on doing what they want, regardless of the actual rule of law or our constitutional rights?
For me what's even a bigger concern than this is that the GOP congress is letting him do this. They could easily reign him in by threatening impeachment, but they have not once tried to do this.
For sure. All the republicans are complicit. Someone else also commented that they are intentionally being cruel because they could just pass new immigration laws since they hold the majority, but they are choosing to be inhumane.
This whole immigration situation is giving the (allegedly)Andrew Jackson quote “John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it” vibes unfortunately.
And it doesn’t need to be done this way - cruelly and while violating people’s rights. The GOP has the majority in the House, the Senate, and the White House. They could easily put forth an immigration bill right now and get it passed/signed into law. Instead they choose bullying and force which is purposeful to scare, intimidate, and harm. They must like it otherwise why else treat humans like subhumans? THAT is what crushes my soul. That so many Americans voted for and continue to support this type of behavior that dehumanizes people and violates their rights. We are all at risk of being treated similarly.
I think they would have difficulty getting the kind of cruel bill they would write passed. While it only takes a simple majority in the House, they would struggle to get it past the Senate, where the bar is much higher just to get to the floor. They need some measure of bipartisan support to pass the Senate and to get that they would need to write a bill that isn't what they really want.
First, can we just step back and admire the absurdity that this headline not only needs to exist, but asks a question that isn’t obvious to a lot of people? Okay, I just needed to say that before the rest of my rant.
I've heard all the excuses from Trump supporters claiming "the mother wanted the child to be deported with her" - despite what these mothers actually say happened. It exposes how conservative arguments on immigration enjoy a natural advantage that has nothing to do with their merit. They don't need nuance and actively work to distract from it. The burden of proof always falls on those defending civil rights, not on those violating them.
That leads to the next problem: how defenders of civil liberties must somehow find "perfect victims" who've never done anything wrong to make their case that the Constitution should matter. And perfection keeps getting redefined: it's no longer enough to have no criminal record, since the current MAGA stance treats "lack of a criminal record" as potential evidence of gang affiliation in itself. ICE Acting Field Office Director Robert Cerna actually stated in a court filing that "the lack of a criminal record does not indicate they pose a limited threat" and that this absence of information "actually highlights the risk they pose."
These "perfect victims" need permanent alibis for every moment of their lives - their choice of tattoo, clothing, who they've spoken to - everything becomes potential evidence against them. Meanwhile, opponents can cherry-pick the worst criminals from a population of millions, print posters, and pretend these outliers represent the average person being rounded up and "convicted" as gang members through public perception without any actual trial.
But I wonder if this approach will ultimately backfire politically. If Republicans thought they were gaining support from racial minorities, that mirage is likely fading. The administration promised targeted prioritization of criminals for deportation, but what communities are seeing is people being shipped off based more on skin color than proof of wrongdoing - and not just to their supposed hometowns but to notorious prisons in countries they've never seen.
This becomes even more glaring when contrasted with the administration rolling out the red carpet for white refugees from South Africa. In February, Trump signed an executive order offering refugee status to white Afrikaner farmers, claiming they face "government-sponsored race-based discrimination" - despite these farmers being among South Africa's most economically privileged groups. The U.S. Embassy in South Africa has already received interest from over 67,000 potential Afrikaner refugees following Trump's directive to prioritize their resettlement, while simultaneously halting the broader refugee program. The disparity in treatment based on race is becoming harder to ignore or explain away.
The polling reflects this reality check. Trump is now underwater on the two issues that once buoyed his otherwise poor approval ratings: the economy and immigration. His signature issues are no longer working in his favor.
I saw this coming when canvassing for Harris in suburban Phoenix last year. My perspective was limited (99% of people we tried to reach were so exhausted by politics they didn't want to talk to us), but the Latino communities we were reaching didn't really love Trump. They just didn't love their situation under the Biden administration either. These voters didn't have time and resources to analyze which policies impacted their day-to-day lives; they simply wanted straightforward explanations for problems and promises to fix them. Any tepid support they had for Trump was fragile at best, and I'm certain it's evaporated now with these deportation stories hitting close to home.
This is precisely when Democrats need to step in…not just for a few months during campaign season, but with consistent engagement that addresses these communities' concerns year-round. We were repeatedly told by Harris organizers that what we were doing was "scientifically proven" to be the most effective way to persuade voters. But I question how that could possibly be true when I consider the resources it took: buses of Californians transported hundreds of miles, decent hotel accommodations, paid lunches, all to knock on hundreds of doors where people felt so harassed by political attention that they rarely answered or wanted to hear anything. I felt like I was littering with all the pieces of glossy paper I was supposed to stack on the existing stacks of political ads on their doorsteps.
Where are those resources now? This is when Democrats should be knocking on those same doors, explaining their vision for the 2026 midterms. And the message shouldn't just be "we won't deport you" - it should be "tell us what you most care about, and we'll be back in a few weeks with a customized reply to your specific concerns."
In the meantime, we can't expect the administration's approach to change. We need to keep talking about these constitutional violations loudly and often to compete with propaganda that doesn't have to work nearly as hard because it's unhindered by reality or legal constraints. The Constitution is clear on this matter, as Sharon explains. We just need to ensure that clarity isn't drowned out by narratives designed to justify the unjustifiable.
Thanks for coming to Phoenix during the campaign. I live in the area. I was so upset when AZ votes were counted. I think so many of us are too busy trying to live our lives that we are not too turned in to what’s happening broadly. I don’t know if the average citizen knows what is going on unless it shows up at their door. Are we, collectively, noticing the cruel and unlawful ways undocumented and documented immigrants are being treated? This is my worry.
Certainly I think the incentive for overworked, overwhelmed people is to shut out the bad news and focus on their own priorities, especially when they're in survival mode. Of course everyone has the instinct to help others when it's in their face, like a good samaritan encountering a stranger in immediate trouble, but headlines about what other people are going through, with a "he said she said" explanation for the cruelty, is unlikely to penetrate, I think, generally. That being said, this is an issue that does cut deep and is affecting people personally. And they didn't think that people who had a legal right to live here would be in danger, which has now been clarified: they are in danger. So perhaps the polling numbers and the few instances of politicians growing a spine against MAGA aren't a fluke? We can hope!
Thank you for such a clear response and description of the issues you faced during your campaign work. I have often wondered what it was actually like. I agree with your points. Well said!
Your part about the perfect victim reminds me of Chanel Miller’s book No My Name where she was literally assaulted as she was passed out behind a trash can. The case should have been obvious that her r@pist was in the wrong, but they picked her apart. They talked about the fact that she’d been drinking and how she separated from her friends.
Kinda heartbreaking how I thought maybe I knew which case you meant from the "behind a trash can" detail, but I also know that these stories are too common for me to be certain. But yes, Chanel Miller is a hero. And yet there are so many stories like this that follow the exact same pattern: victims summoning the bravery to put their name to the allegation that they were assaulted, then getting torn apart for not being "perfect" enough to deserve justice. I just watched the documentary “Black Box Diaries" (it was nominated for an Oscar this year) about a sexual assault case in Japan, directed by the journalist Shiori Itō who chronicled her experience trying to find justice for the assault she experienced, and it's the exact same playbook, just a different country. She was questioned about her drinking, her past relationships, her clothing... everything except the actual crime committed against her. It took an insane amount of persistence, patience, and luck for her to get anything she deserved. The system everywhere seems designed to make victims prove they didn't somehow deserve what happened to them rather than focusing on holding perpetrators accountable. Patriarchy, man. Miller's and Itō’s strength in reclaiming the narrative is incredible, but nobody should have to be that strong just to be believed.
We keep saying things “cannot” happen but they are things that ARE HAPPENING. We need to confront the reality that our government is no longer abiding by the laws of the nation.
In all the discussion of immigration within the Trump administration I haven't heard much from Congress. Do they have a Border or Immigration Bill they are working on? Or anything to deal with the immigration process? I have not been able to find much. Seems like something else they don't want to touch.
I would like to see some action from Congress, as well. It seems like the perfect time to fix what everyone acknowledges is a broken system. It should be a number one priority for the Republicans right now.
Yes, I see what the administration is doing to deal with undocumented immigrants. But it's not 'fixing' the issue. We're not dealing with the bigger picture. A broken system that needs an overhaul. I've been waiting for Congress to do something for decades now! Also given how big of an issue immigration was for this immigration I was expecting an R congress with a majority in both houses to work on something substantial. Or at least have a framework to discuss.
Amber -- A bipartisan bill was set to pass both houses, and be signed by President Biden in 2023/early '24. Then, Trump told R's in Congress to shut it down. He didn't want Biden to get credit for it. So, they did. I think a lot of us believed that the bill would be re-introduced (by either Trump or Harris) immediately following the inauguration. It had overwhelming bi-partisan support. Neither side got 'everything' they wanted. It was a compromise bill at its best. So...my question is this: Why hasn't it been re-introduced?
I have a friend who works in a Tennessee school district. Her school is primarily comprised of Hispanic kids. This week their neighborhoods have been flooded with ICE raids, so much so that half the kids aren't even in school today. No matter which way you look at this, it is a nightmare.
And yet, in the last 48ish hours - the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the FBI have indicated to Congress that they do not believe due process is guaranteed to all people on U.S. soil. The administration had floated plans to deport migrants to Libya, where detention centers are world famous for violating human rights (a feature, not a bug).
Research your state laws, how to safely talk with & film ICE/Police if you see them detaining individuals in your area. Offer to call loved ones for the detainees. Distribute know your rights materials locally. Sound the alarm if you see ICE operating around you. Protect yourself & others with some basic knowledge, and know that every minute you spend sharing resources matters.
The problem is even if they know their rights the people (I’m not going to say just ice because I don’t believe they’re just ice or they would have legitimate paperwork and some proof of who they are) that are kidnapping these immigrants, don’t care. I just watched a video of a mom, grandma, and newborn in Massachusetts and it was terrifying. I was literally crying the whole time. I watched it. They didn’t show paperwork, there were neighbors trying to keep them from Taking these women and it happened anyway. I don’t know what we can do in that situation. it’s a total mess there look like hundreds of people there.
I absolutely understand and agree! What is happening across the country with ICE & other agencies deputized by ICE is appalling. And filming, asking to see warrants, and attempting to help doesn't always work - but I still think it's worth it to try, to spread information & resources. I see stories as well of people who were educated about judicial vs. administrative warrants successfully turning away agents who were willfully abusing their power. It's not enough of course - protest, call your reps, share the videos of people being abducted by people in masks off the streets, talk about it with everyone you know too!
I absolutely do agree! Not doing anything is definitely not an option. Sometimes it just feels like one side has all of the power right now, but that is not true. You are right we all have things that we are doing, should continue doing, and hopefully we will continue to make changes. I can’t imagine being in one of these marginalized groups, but thats why those of us that are not, absolutely have to stand up for our neighbors. It’s just so mind-boggling that we are at this place in the United States.
It's frightening how far trump has lowered the bar for presidential behavior. At this point we're used to him lying, ignoring the law, ignoring the constitution, calling everyone names, ranting on social media in the middle of the night, it's insanity. More than anything I miss having a normal adult in the white house. He's completely unhinged.
"The law’s answer is clear: it cannot. And even noncitizens cannot be sent back to their countries of origin without receiving due process." What difference does this make if Trump & crew just ignore the law and defy the Supreme Court?
The Trump administration has laid bare the fact that there is no mechanism to enforce law beside tradition and goodwill.
I am tired of hearing that things are clearly laid out in the Constitution and really want to understand how anyone is going to enforce these laws.
This is so timely and echoes a lot of what I just published in an op-ed piece. Our country was founded on the idea of "unalienable rights": that all humans deserve freedom simply because they are human. It was not founded on policy--it was founded on principle. There seems to be this notion recently that freedom is a resource to be hoarded, and only those deserving of it get it. This is false. You cross our border illegally? You still get the freedom of speech and a fair trial. We don't have a tiered-system of how we treat humans, despite the current culture trying to shift that way. If you have to be a certain person or behave a certain way to "deserve" freedom, then it was never freedom to begin with.
So many impeachable offenses, and they're stacking one on another (e.g. illegal deportations...then ignoring court orders to remedy the first offense.)
The U.S. Constitution has been touted as one of the world's greatest foundational documents, and has proven formidable throughout its 235+ years--just as the founders had hoped. Yet, it's historical formidability is dependent upon leaders respecting it with great reverence. Of course, disagreement and debate has been an understandable consequence when it comes to the Constitution's *implicit* aspects. This design however, was deliberate by the founders, as it allows for a 'living' document that is adaptable to society's natural evolution. However, there are also *explicit* aspects. Unambiguous, straightforward language. These are the non-negotiables.
To change an explicit statement requires the arduous amendment process. And, short of that process, a government entity must face specific consequences if/when their actions violate the explicit nature of the Constitution. "Birthright citizenship" is explicit. *Due process* is explicit.
The oath that is required, and has been taken by every official in our federal government, that includes the words, "protect and defend the Constitution of the United States..." clearly means, "protect and defend [birthright citizenship]." "Protect and defend [due process rights]."
The outrage that we are currently seeing in Washington to these unconstitutional acts is, in my opinion...underwhelming.
My biggest concern here is that they legally and constitutionally cannot do this…but the administration doesn’t really seem to care. They are ignoring judge’s rulings, already deporting without due process, defeated Jayapal’s amendment, and the president is protected from any act committed while in office. What’s actually going to stop them when they seem hellbent on doing what they want, regardless of the actual rule of law or our constitutional rights?
For me what's even a bigger concern than this is that the GOP congress is letting him do this. They could easily reign him in by threatening impeachment, but they have not once tried to do this.
For sure. All the republicans are complicit. Someone else also commented that they are intentionally being cruel because they could just pass new immigration laws since they hold the majority, but they are choosing to be inhumane.
Exactly how I feel.
I completely agree.
This whole immigration situation is giving the (allegedly)Andrew Jackson quote “John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it” vibes unfortunately.
"We always have to obey the laws,” said a convictedd felon who pardoned convicted violent criminals.
All of whom received due process, I might add.
And it doesn’t need to be done this way - cruelly and while violating people’s rights. The GOP has the majority in the House, the Senate, and the White House. They could easily put forth an immigration bill right now and get it passed/signed into law. Instead they choose bullying and force which is purposeful to scare, intimidate, and harm. They must like it otherwise why else treat humans like subhumans? THAT is what crushes my soul. That so many Americans voted for and continue to support this type of behavior that dehumanizes people and violates their rights. We are all at risk of being treated similarly.
I think they would have difficulty getting the kind of cruel bill they would write passed. While it only takes a simple majority in the House, they would struggle to get it past the Senate, where the bar is much higher just to get to the floor. They need some measure of bipartisan support to pass the Senate and to get that they would need to write a bill that isn't what they really want.
First, can we just step back and admire the absurdity that this headline not only needs to exist, but asks a question that isn’t obvious to a lot of people? Okay, I just needed to say that before the rest of my rant.
I've heard all the excuses from Trump supporters claiming "the mother wanted the child to be deported with her" - despite what these mothers actually say happened. It exposes how conservative arguments on immigration enjoy a natural advantage that has nothing to do with their merit. They don't need nuance and actively work to distract from it. The burden of proof always falls on those defending civil rights, not on those violating them.
That leads to the next problem: how defenders of civil liberties must somehow find "perfect victims" who've never done anything wrong to make their case that the Constitution should matter. And perfection keeps getting redefined: it's no longer enough to have no criminal record, since the current MAGA stance treats "lack of a criminal record" as potential evidence of gang affiliation in itself. ICE Acting Field Office Director Robert Cerna actually stated in a court filing that "the lack of a criminal record does not indicate they pose a limited threat" and that this absence of information "actually highlights the risk they pose."
These "perfect victims" need permanent alibis for every moment of their lives - their choice of tattoo, clothing, who they've spoken to - everything becomes potential evidence against them. Meanwhile, opponents can cherry-pick the worst criminals from a population of millions, print posters, and pretend these outliers represent the average person being rounded up and "convicted" as gang members through public perception without any actual trial.
But I wonder if this approach will ultimately backfire politically. If Republicans thought they were gaining support from racial minorities, that mirage is likely fading. The administration promised targeted prioritization of criminals for deportation, but what communities are seeing is people being shipped off based more on skin color than proof of wrongdoing - and not just to their supposed hometowns but to notorious prisons in countries they've never seen.
This becomes even more glaring when contrasted with the administration rolling out the red carpet for white refugees from South Africa. In February, Trump signed an executive order offering refugee status to white Afrikaner farmers, claiming they face "government-sponsored race-based discrimination" - despite these farmers being among South Africa's most economically privileged groups. The U.S. Embassy in South Africa has already received interest from over 67,000 potential Afrikaner refugees following Trump's directive to prioritize their resettlement, while simultaneously halting the broader refugee program. The disparity in treatment based on race is becoming harder to ignore or explain away.
The polling reflects this reality check. Trump is now underwater on the two issues that once buoyed his otherwise poor approval ratings: the economy and immigration. His signature issues are no longer working in his favor.
I saw this coming when canvassing for Harris in suburban Phoenix last year. My perspective was limited (99% of people we tried to reach were so exhausted by politics they didn't want to talk to us), but the Latino communities we were reaching didn't really love Trump. They just didn't love their situation under the Biden administration either. These voters didn't have time and resources to analyze which policies impacted their day-to-day lives; they simply wanted straightforward explanations for problems and promises to fix them. Any tepid support they had for Trump was fragile at best, and I'm certain it's evaporated now with these deportation stories hitting close to home.
This is precisely when Democrats need to step in…not just for a few months during campaign season, but with consistent engagement that addresses these communities' concerns year-round. We were repeatedly told by Harris organizers that what we were doing was "scientifically proven" to be the most effective way to persuade voters. But I question how that could possibly be true when I consider the resources it took: buses of Californians transported hundreds of miles, decent hotel accommodations, paid lunches, all to knock on hundreds of doors where people felt so harassed by political attention that they rarely answered or wanted to hear anything. I felt like I was littering with all the pieces of glossy paper I was supposed to stack on the existing stacks of political ads on their doorsteps.
Where are those resources now? This is when Democrats should be knocking on those same doors, explaining their vision for the 2026 midterms. And the message shouldn't just be "we won't deport you" - it should be "tell us what you most care about, and we'll be back in a few weeks with a customized reply to your specific concerns."
In the meantime, we can't expect the administration's approach to change. We need to keep talking about these constitutional violations loudly and often to compete with propaganda that doesn't have to work nearly as hard because it's unhindered by reality or legal constraints. The Constitution is clear on this matter, as Sharon explains. We just need to ensure that clarity isn't drowned out by narratives designed to justify the unjustifiable.
Thanks for coming to Phoenix during the campaign. I live in the area. I was so upset when AZ votes were counted. I think so many of us are too busy trying to live our lives that we are not too turned in to what’s happening broadly. I don’t know if the average citizen knows what is going on unless it shows up at their door. Are we, collectively, noticing the cruel and unlawful ways undocumented and documented immigrants are being treated? This is my worry.
Certainly I think the incentive for overworked, overwhelmed people is to shut out the bad news and focus on their own priorities, especially when they're in survival mode. Of course everyone has the instinct to help others when it's in their face, like a good samaritan encountering a stranger in immediate trouble, but headlines about what other people are going through, with a "he said she said" explanation for the cruelty, is unlikely to penetrate, I think, generally. That being said, this is an issue that does cut deep and is affecting people personally. And they didn't think that people who had a legal right to live here would be in danger, which has now been clarified: they are in danger. So perhaps the polling numbers and the few instances of politicians growing a spine against MAGA aren't a fluke? We can hope!
I am hoping it isn’t a fluke! I also hope more of us can be more informed.
Thank you for such a clear response and description of the issues you faced during your campaign work. I have often wondered what it was actually like. I agree with your points. Well said!
Your part about the perfect victim reminds me of Chanel Miller’s book No My Name where she was literally assaulted as she was passed out behind a trash can. The case should have been obvious that her r@pist was in the wrong, but they picked her apart. They talked about the fact that she’d been drinking and how she separated from her friends.
Kinda heartbreaking how I thought maybe I knew which case you meant from the "behind a trash can" detail, but I also know that these stories are too common for me to be certain. But yes, Chanel Miller is a hero. And yet there are so many stories like this that follow the exact same pattern: victims summoning the bravery to put their name to the allegation that they were assaulted, then getting torn apart for not being "perfect" enough to deserve justice. I just watched the documentary “Black Box Diaries" (it was nominated for an Oscar this year) about a sexual assault case in Japan, directed by the journalist Shiori Itō who chronicled her experience trying to find justice for the assault she experienced, and it's the exact same playbook, just a different country. She was questioned about her drinking, her past relationships, her clothing... everything except the actual crime committed against her. It took an insane amount of persistence, patience, and luck for her to get anything she deserved. The system everywhere seems designed to make victims prove they didn't somehow deserve what happened to them rather than focusing on holding perpetrators accountable. Patriarchy, man. Miller's and Itō’s strength in reclaiming the narrative is incredible, but nobody should have to be that strong just to be believed.
Well written and informative in a succinct manner. Thanks for caring enough to leave such a thorough comment.
We keep saying things “cannot” happen but they are things that ARE HAPPENING. We need to confront the reality that our government is no longer abiding by the laws of the nation.
In all the discussion of immigration within the Trump administration I haven't heard much from Congress. Do they have a Border or Immigration Bill they are working on? Or anything to deal with the immigration process? I have not been able to find much. Seems like something else they don't want to touch.
Nope they just spent a day in the House passing a bill renaming the Gulf of Mexico. :)
I would like to see some action from Congress, as well. It seems like the perfect time to fix what everyone acknowledges is a broken system. It should be a number one priority for the Republicans right now.
This, and the fact that they don’t do this is very telling. It says to me that fixing the system was never their goal at all.
Yes, I see what the administration is doing to deal with undocumented immigrants. But it's not 'fixing' the issue. We're not dealing with the bigger picture. A broken system that needs an overhaul. I've been waiting for Congress to do something for decades now! Also given how big of an issue immigration was for this immigration I was expecting an R congress with a majority in both houses to work on something substantial. Or at least have a framework to discuss.
Amber -- A bipartisan bill was set to pass both houses, and be signed by President Biden in 2023/early '24. Then, Trump told R's in Congress to shut it down. He didn't want Biden to get credit for it. So, they did. I think a lot of us believed that the bill would be re-introduced (by either Trump or Harris) immediately following the inauguration. It had overwhelming bi-partisan support. Neither side got 'everything' they wanted. It was a compromise bill at its best. So...my question is this: Why hasn't it been re-introduced?
I have a friend who works in a Tennessee school district. Her school is primarily comprised of Hispanic kids. This week their neighborhoods have been flooded with ICE raids, so much so that half the kids aren't even in school today. No matter which way you look at this, it is a nightmare.
And yet, in the last 48ish hours - the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the FBI have indicated to Congress that they do not believe due process is guaranteed to all people on U.S. soil. The administration had floated plans to deport migrants to Libya, where detention centers are world famous for violating human rights (a feature, not a bug).
So...resource for printing/ordering red cards (cards in many different languages that help people know their rights) https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas
Information on knowing your rights (that everyone, including U.S. citizens should know): https://immigrantjustice.org/know-your-rights/ice-encounter
Research your state laws, how to safely talk with & film ICE/Police if you see them detaining individuals in your area. Offer to call loved ones for the detainees. Distribute know your rights materials locally. Sound the alarm if you see ICE operating around you. Protect yourself & others with some basic knowledge, and know that every minute you spend sharing resources matters.
The problem is even if they know their rights the people (I’m not going to say just ice because I don’t believe they’re just ice or they would have legitimate paperwork and some proof of who they are) that are kidnapping these immigrants, don’t care. I just watched a video of a mom, grandma, and newborn in Massachusetts and it was terrifying. I was literally crying the whole time. I watched it. They didn’t show paperwork, there were neighbors trying to keep them from Taking these women and it happened anyway. I don’t know what we can do in that situation. it’s a total mess there look like hundreds of people there.
I absolutely understand and agree! What is happening across the country with ICE & other agencies deputized by ICE is appalling. And filming, asking to see warrants, and attempting to help doesn't always work - but I still think it's worth it to try, to spread information & resources. I see stories as well of people who were educated about judicial vs. administrative warrants successfully turning away agents who were willfully abusing their power. It's not enough of course - protest, call your reps, share the videos of people being abducted by people in masks off the streets, talk about it with everyone you know too!
I absolutely do agree! Not doing anything is definitely not an option. Sometimes it just feels like one side has all of the power right now, but that is not true. You are right we all have things that we are doing, should continue doing, and hopefully we will continue to make changes. I can’t imagine being in one of these marginalized groups, but thats why those of us that are not, absolutely have to stand up for our neighbors. It’s just so mind-boggling that we are at this place in the United States.
When will this administration be held accountable?!
When a president ignores and breaks his oath of office.. what can legally be done?
Legally? Impeachment.
This is getting worse & worse. Where the heck is someone saying NO, that’s not how this works.
It's frightening how far trump has lowered the bar for presidential behavior. At this point we're used to him lying, ignoring the law, ignoring the constitution, calling everyone names, ranting on social media in the middle of the night, it's insanity. More than anything I miss having a normal adult in the white house. He's completely unhinged.
"The law’s answer is clear: it cannot. And even noncitizens cannot be sent back to their countries of origin without receiving due process." What difference does this make if Trump & crew just ignore the law and defy the Supreme Court?
The Trump administration has laid bare the fact that there is no mechanism to enforce law beside tradition and goodwill.
I am tired of hearing that things are clearly laid out in the Constitution and really want to understand how anyone is going to enforce these laws.
He projects his actions on to everyone else. He is a convicted criminal. He got due process. It is all so disturbing and stressful everyday.
This is so timely and echoes a lot of what I just published in an op-ed piece. Our country was founded on the idea of "unalienable rights": that all humans deserve freedom simply because they are human. It was not founded on policy--it was founded on principle. There seems to be this notion recently that freedom is a resource to be hoarded, and only those deserving of it get it. This is false. You cross our border illegally? You still get the freedom of speech and a fair trial. We don't have a tiered-system of how we treat humans, despite the current culture trying to shift that way. If you have to be a certain person or behave a certain way to "deserve" freedom, then it was never freedom to begin with.
So many impeachable offenses, and they're stacking one on another (e.g. illegal deportations...then ignoring court orders to remedy the first offense.)
The U.S. Constitution has been touted as one of the world's greatest foundational documents, and has proven formidable throughout its 235+ years--just as the founders had hoped. Yet, it's historical formidability is dependent upon leaders respecting it with great reverence. Of course, disagreement and debate has been an understandable consequence when it comes to the Constitution's *implicit* aspects. This design however, was deliberate by the founders, as it allows for a 'living' document that is adaptable to society's natural evolution. However, there are also *explicit* aspects. Unambiguous, straightforward language. These are the non-negotiables.
To change an explicit statement requires the arduous amendment process. And, short of that process, a government entity must face specific consequences if/when their actions violate the explicit nature of the Constitution. "Birthright citizenship" is explicit. *Due process* is explicit.
The oath that is required, and has been taken by every official in our federal government, that includes the words, "protect and defend the Constitution of the United States..." clearly means, "protect and defend [birthright citizenship]." "Protect and defend [due process rights]."
The outrage that we are currently seeing in Washington to these unconstitutional acts is, in my opinion...underwhelming.