by Monica Yelin | Jan 27, 2025 | Opinion
By Monica Yelin |
There seems to be significant misinformation surrounding immigration and deportation, and as a legal Colombian migrant, I feel the need to clarify a few things.
First, there is a massive backlog of individuals who already have deportation orders. In most cases, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does not catch these individuals off guard. Most are well aware of their deportation orders and have had ample time to make arrangements, especially if they have children.
At the same time, it’s critical to acknowledge that our country cannot sustain an infinite number of people crossing the border illegally, unvetted, and unchecked. Simply crossing illegally, claiming credible fear, and applying for asylum does not make it right, especially when one did not arrive legally and does not have credible fear. Most individuals who apply for asylum do not qualify, and many fail to follow through with their legal appointments. This process, already overwhelmed by years of backlog, often results in denied claims, something the applicants are frequently aware of.
It’s frustrating to watch media outlets like CNN focus on “gotcha” questions directed at individuals like Tom Homan, instead of addressing the bigger picture with logic and reason. Deportations prioritize criminals and those with criminal backgrounds. If undocumented individuals happen to be caught alongside a criminal, they may also face deportation as collateral. Once the immediate threats to national security are addressed, the system will move on to others. However, this process will take time and require more funding and resources to scale effectively.
We need to set emotions aside and recognize the hard truths: human trafficking and exploitation must end. Migrants are often misled and lured by false promises of opportunities or legal status. Many die during their journey, are trafficked, go missing, or suffer horrendous abuses, including rape. When they arrive, they often become a financial burden and face years of uncertainty.
Given the current situation, and as a legal Colombian migrant, I believe I have the right to speak up. Beyond the logistical and legal issues, I find it deeply disrespectful, both to Americans and to legal immigrants like me, that the previous administration’s open-border policies disregarded the rule of law and encouraged such reckless disregard for human life. The treatment of migrants in this system has been appalling, and it’s heartbreaking to see leaders like Colombian President Gustavo Petro exploit the situation further.
Why are we spending so many resources on undocumented migrants while neglecting veterans, those struggling with addiction, the homeless, and natural-born Americans, naturalized citizens, and legal immigrants? What about DACA recipients, those who filed paperwork, and others who have been waiting for years for real solutions? At the same time, we are sending billions of dollars abroad while our own people are suffering here in America.
In addition, how do you explain all this to Angel Parents, those who have lost their children to crimes committed by undocumented migrants? Their pain and their losses are a stark reminder of the magnitude of this crisis.
I know the current issue with our immigration system is a complicated one, and I want to emphasize that we must have compassion for everyone equally, including undocumented migrants. However, I want to make perfectly clear that the previous administration did not care for you, me, legal immigrants, citizens, and certainly not the undocumented migrants. Many people filed their legalization cases here in America and others filed abroad waiting to be united with their families for years and years. Many refugees in camps and foreign countries are losing hope because it feels like it’s taking an eternity.
And what about those undocumented migrants who have been here for 20 years or more, who have not committed crimes, who pay taxes, own businesses, create jobs, and have U.S. citizen children who are productive members of society? They feel offended because the previous administration forgot them and did not offer a path to legalization but instead opened the border. One could argue that they should be helped before those crossing.
Lastly, I do not approve of illegal immigration in any way. But we must be realistic. They are already here. How about giving them a fine and creating some sort of path to permanent residency if they meet certain very strict criteria? By no means should we enable illegal immigration, but ignoring the realities of the situation is not a solution either.
Our immigration system must reflect fairness, logic, and compassion. This means addressing those who have committed crimes or pose a security threat, while also considering solutions for those who have demonstrated their commitment to contributing positively to this country. It’s a balance we must strive for—one that ensures the dignity of all while upholding the rule of law.
Monica Yelin is the Executive Director of the Hispanic Liberty Alliance.
by Daniel Stefanski | Dec 6, 2024 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
One Arizona Democrat appears to be leading the charge against the incoming Republican presidential administration’s plans to secure the nation’s southern border and protect Americans.
Late last month, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero released a statement in opposition to President-elect Donald J. Trump’s border security and enforcement proposals once he takes the oath of office on January 20, 2025. She wrote, “I want to reassure every single resident that I am committed to do all we can to keep our community safe. I am deeply troubled by President-Elect Trump’s plans for mass deportation. I believe they are cruel and immoral. I will work with our police chief to make sure that our focus remains on protecting and serving Tucsonans. Here in Tucson, we know how to stand up and fight against hate and racist laws. Part of our history is coming together with our faith leaders and families from separation. I am unwavering in my commitment to this fight.”
Romero added, “While we do not have specific details about how mass deportations will be carried out by President-Elect Trump’s administration, we do know that it will be painful to children, families and our immigrant community. We do not have the exact details as to when and if Proposition 314 goes into effect, we know that this hate-filled proposition draws from SC 1070 – the show me your papers law. We are a compassionate city that knows we are stronger together and that values our multi-racial heritage. Justice will prevail.”
The Democrat mayor’s fiery comments earned a response from Trump’s incoming Border Czar, Tom Homan. On the Fox News Channel with host Laura Ingraham, Homan said, “We got children dying on the border every day. We got women being sexually assaulted by the cartels every day. Someone is going to die on the border tonight. Women are being raped on the border tonight. So what’s cruel about securing that border and saving lives, first of all? But I’ll give her the same warning I’ve given the rest of the sanctuary city mayors and the governors: you can not help us. That’s fine. You should get the hell out of the way, then, ’cause we’re going to do the job.”
Homan also stated, “And we got one hell of an attorney general coming in, Pam Bondi. I think she’ll read that statute the same way I do it. I’m not a lawyer, but I can read, and we’re going to have consequences of people violating the law and try to prevent us from doing our job.”
Romero appeared to be the loudest Arizona Democrat who stood against the announced policies and plans of the Trump administration, but she wasn’t the only one in opposition. Last month, Governor Katie Hobbs released an ambiguous post on her official X account, indirectly taking aim at the Trump administration’s forthcoming actions. She said, “Securing our border is not a red issue or a blue issue. It’s an Arizona issue and an American issue. I’ll work with anyone to secure our border while standing up to misguided policies that attack Arizonans.”
Thus far in her administration, Hobbs has resisted most attempts by Republicans to maximize Arizona’s resources and laws to better protect communities against the harms from illegal immigration. That resistance led to state legislative Republicans sending a border security ballot measure to voters this past November – Proposition 314, which gave local law enforcement more tools to combat illegal immigration across the state. Arizona Republicans are expected to continue to search for ways to assist the Trump Administration to stop the flow of illegal immigration into and through their state over the next two years.
This week, the Trump Administration may have received a legal boost to its future efforts to remove illegal aliens from the country. On Tuesday, a panel with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court’s judgment for the federal government in USA v. King County, which held that a local jurisdiction’s Executive Order, which prohibited fixed base operators (FBOs) from servicing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) charter flights, violated the law. That decision will likely be key in the new year, if and when local officials, like Romero, may attempt to obstruct the federal government’s actions when it comes to deportations and enforcement of U.S. immigration laws.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Nov 13, 2024 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
A series of polls released over the past year have shown that public support for the mass deportation of illegal immigrants represents a majority-driven mandate from the American people which cuts across racial, political, and economic lines. Congressional leaders from Arizona have emerged as the most fervent voices reflecting the widely accepted viewpoint.
As noted by Cronkite News, President-Elect Donald J. Trump drew direct attention to this in remarks he made announcing his victory when he touted “an unprecedented and powerful mandate.”
“They’re coming by the thousands,” Trump warned in a video posted on Truth Social. “We will secure our borders. And we will restore sovereignty.”
A Scripps News/Ipsos survey presented findings that approximately 54% of the American public, including 25% of Democrats, an overwhelming 86% of Republicans, and even a strong majority of 58% of Independents agreed that they “strongly,” or “somewhat” support “Deporting those who are in the country illegally.”
Similarly, an Axios Vibes survey by The Harris Poll released in April found conclusively that 51% of the American public, with 42% of Democrats, 68% of Republicans, and even a 45% share of Latinos and 40% of Black Americans polled found they “support mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.”
Finally, a Fox News Poll, by Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research released in mid-October in the final weeks of the election cycle made it quite clear that “Since 2015, support for deporting those living in the U.S. illegally is up across the board, but most notably among nonwhite voters (+24 points favor), Republicans (+21 points), rural voters (+20), urban voters (+19), and men (+16). Democrats are also more likely to favor this now but by a smaller 8-point margin.” The increase over time in acceptance of mass deportation has been profound.
Congressman Eli Crane (R-AZ) has consistently criticized the Department of Homeland Security under the Biden administration and frequently sparred with Secretary of the Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. In April, Crane was reported by Forbes as scorching Mayorkas.
Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) shared a video of Trump explaining his mass deportation policy in a post to X in March 2023 with the caption: “We need mass deportations and NO AMNESTY.”
Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) posted likewise in January 2023 writing, “All illegal aliens must be deported. Period.”
Trump’s selection of former acting director of ICE, Tom Homan, as “border czar,” has further energized the conversation around the mass deportation plan Trump promised during his campaign.
The morale of Border Patrol agents has also improved significantly according to reports. National Border Patrol Council President Paul Perez told Fox News in an interview that the agency’s morale is “through the roof,” adding, “We’ve received hundreds of calls, texts, emails, just saying how happy the agents are.”
“There are a lot of agents that had originally said that they would retire if President Trump did not win. And now those same agents are saying they’re going to hold back on their retirement because they want to serve under this administration again, because they know exactly how it was during this first administration, and they know this one’s going to be even better,” he said.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
