Illegal immigration isn’t just a crime — it’s an insult

As the daughter of legal immigrants who undertook a lawful journey to bring their family to this land of freedom, opportunity, and prosperity, I find myself frustrated and disappointed as our southern border faces an unprecedented surge in illegal immigration. The crisis not only challenges the principles of fairness and justice but also endangers law-abiding Americans and casts a shadow over the sacrifices made by the many who worked hard to enter this country legally.

Legal immigration is more than a bureaucratic process; it is a testament to a person’s commitment to the values and laws that define the United States. My family, like countless others, embraced this journey and navigated the system as they sought to contribute meaningfully to and ultimately realize the American dream. The border crisis diminishes the significance of these efforts and insults the very essence of legal immigration and the rule of law.

Our judicial system is a major part of what makes America a beacon to the world. And yet hundreds of thousands of people every month blatantly disregard our laws to enter the country illegally. Far too many of these new arrivals have criminal histories or commit crimes after they get here. If they are so willing to ignore our immigration laws to enter the country, what can we assume about their commitment to the values and laws of our nation once they are inside?

Unfortunately, it isn’t just illegal immigrants undermining law and order. It’s also our own federal government.

The Biden administration has repeatedly proven to the American people, including countless upstanding legal immigrants like my parents, that our nation’s citizens and our laws are not a priority.

Instead of securing our borders to uphold our federal immigration laws and empowering law enforcement to hold criminals accountable, the administration is trying to stop Texas from doing what the federal government refuses to do — protect the state and the nation.

In fact, Joe Biden’s weaponized Department of Justice is suing Texas to stop enforcement of a new law that makes illegal immigration a state crime. The government contends that by criminalizing illegal immigration, Texas is exceeding its authority. The Justice Department promises to “pursue all appropriate legal remedies to ensure that Texas does not interfere with the functions of the federal government.”

What functions would Texas be interfering with by criminalizing criminal behavior? The federal government is doing nothing to end the illegal immigration crisis, refusing even to acknowledge the criminal aspect.

Instead, the government is exacerbating the crisis by downplaying the situation and turning a blind eye after having spent years inviting criminal behavior. Apparently, the state law threatens federal authorities’ ability to do nothing or make things worse, which says a great deal about whose interests they serve. Should the partisan Justice Department prevail in court, it would be a body blow to federalism and a victory for authoritarian government.

The staggering increase in illegal immigrant crossings places an undue burden on law enforcement agencies and jeopardizes the safety of law-abiding communities and national security. Enforcement of immigration laws is not merely an abstract policy matter; it is a duty to protect those who have chosen to abide by the rules and contribute to the fabric of American society.

Compounding the insult, illegal aliens enjoy a host of taxpayer-funded benefits and often take priority over American citizens. A recent report found that Texans paid $6.6 billion to provide education to illegal aliens in the state’s public schools for the 2022-23 school year, plus another $2.6 billion for related security costs, and $1.7 billion for related criminal justice costs. All of that money would be far better spent benefiting taxpaying citizens, rather than paying for the fallout of a manufactured border crisis.

The southern border crisis not only challenges the integrity of our legal system but also disrespects the sacrifices made by those who followed the rules to become proud contributors to this great nation and who abide by its laws.

We must stop sugarcoating the devastating effects of illegal immigration on American citizens and legal immigrants alike. Let’s stop pretending that this historic immigration crisis is somehow virtuous. That may be the biggest insult of them all.