A nation’s strength does not depend only on its size, population, or armies. Its very existence rests on its adherence to the rule of law. When laws are ignored, selectively enforced, treated as optional, or applied only to a certain group or race, justice erodes and state sovereignty slowly becomes obsolete. In recent years, the United States has faced an escalating challenge with illegal immigration, hitting a record high of 14 million unauthorized residents in the US as of 2023.
The U.S. Constitution establishes that every person, regardless of background, stands equally before the law and is bound by it. When the government fails to enforce its immigration laws, it unintentionally sends a dangerous signal that breaking the law carries no immediate or consistent consequences. This not only undermines public trust in justice and the accomplishment of lawful immigration, but it also weakens the authority of our nation. In effect, a nation that cannot decide who enters or remains within its borders has surrendered a part of its power responsible for regulating its citizens.
Some argue that even if many immigrants in the United States are illegal, they are still entitled to Due Process rights under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments before deportation. However, courts and statutes have affirmed that the full scope of due process does not necessarily extend to those who have entered the country unlawfully. Under the “expedited removal” process created by the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton, the Department of Homeland Security may remove an “alien” immigrant without a proper hearing.
These provisions confirm that illegal entry into the United States is a serious offense, just as illegal entry into someone else’s home is a serious crime. The consequences of unenforced immigration law fall heavily on legal residents and citizens. According to a study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform, as of 2022, illegal immigration costs U.S. taxpayers at least $150.7 billion annually, after subtracting the tax contributions paid by undocumented individuals. In many industries, illegal labor may put pressure on wages for native–born and legal residents, undermining fairness in the labor market. Legal immigrants who abide by our nation’s immigration rules patiently endure long waits; inconsistent enforcement of the law undercuts their commitment and sacrifices.
Should we strive to make the immigration process easier and help those who are seeking asylum? Of course. But the law cannot be compromised out of pity. Otherwise, trust in the government will erode as the government’s duty to enforce laws is neglected. The enforcement of immigration law is not rooted in cruelty or prejudice but in the duty of a nation to uphold its own laws, preserve order, and enforce justice—all based on the fundamental American principle that citizenship is a privilege, not a right.
This article also appears in our November 2025 print edition.
