In today’s political climate, the topic of immigration remains a hotbed of debate, especially when it involves criminals who somehow seem to slip through the cracks. Recently, the attention has been on countries like Mexico, China, and Jamaica, but for all the wrong reasons. In separate incidents, individuals from these nations, who were in the United States illegally, were arrested for heinous crimes, including sexual assault and sex trafficking. The efforts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to apprehend these offenders underscore the importance of vigilant border security.
The current administration has been winning points on this front. Under the direction of a strong leadership team made up of the President, Department of Defense, and ICE, the number of illegal crossings at the southern border has seen a dramatic drop. As any good coach would say, a solid defense wins games, and it seems like America is tightening its defense. With a reported 90% decrease in unlawful crossings compared to last year, Tom Homan, the White House Border Czar, attributes this success to the proactive measures taken by the administration.
In contrast, there are sanctuary cities and states that seem to be operating by their own rulebooks, much to the dismay of federal authorities. A recent example includes Prince George’s County, Maryland, releasing a Guatemalan man facing murder charges despite previous deportations. One wonders if the individuals making these decisions in sanctuary regions are merely practicing their version of compassion or turning a blind eye to public safety. Their actions suggest the latter, as criminals once deported manage to return, creating a cycle of repeated offenses and unnecessary risk to communities.
To add a touch of raw irony, the media sometimes seems more concerned about the deportation of criminals than the safety of law-abiding citizens. When a known MS-13 gang member, notorious for violence, is caught in the crossfire of deportation and detention, the pundits cry foul as if they’ve lost an advocate for peace and unity. Those covering these incidents often seem to forget the victims of these criminals and place unwarranted emphasis on the “human side” of offenders. Perhaps they should try explaining to the victims’ families why their sorrow takes a backseat to political posturing.
As the country continues to grapple with the complexities of immigration policy, one thing remains clear: the quest for a safe and secure America shouldn’t be detoured by competing agendas. The actions taken by ICE and the administration are steps in the right direction to prioritizing public safety and enforcing the rule of law. It is not about closing doors but ensuring that when people walk through them, they do so respecting the laws and values that define this nation. Being tough on crime and protective of borders doesn’t make one unreasonable; it just makes sense.