Thousands of demonstrators reportedly took to the streets of Los Angeles on Sunday to protest against the illegal immigration enforcement actions implemented by the Trump administration. These agitators vandalized walls, blocked traffic on highways, and disobeyed law enforcement officials who were protecting their First Amendment rights to free speech. They broke laws to express their public support for illegal immigrants, people who broke the law to enter the country and continue to break the law by residing in it.
They claim these illegal immigrants are good people who are just looking to better their lot in life. But so are the immigrants who came to this country legally. Theatrics and sympathy-manufacturing change none of that. Many people have a sob story. It doesn’t give anyone the right to break the law.
In numerous media reports about the protests, there was a positive portrayal of the participants. They were labeled as “anti-ICE” dissidents and heralded for their actions and civil disobedience, rebuking the illegal immigration enforcement actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. However, this “benevolent dissenter” they are categorized as is a mischaracterization. They are not merely “anti-ICE” protesters. They are “pro-illegal immigration” protesters.
Their disregard for the nation’s laws should not be so easily ignored. They’re not concerned with being Americans or embracing the cherished values of the United States. They’re entitled agitators who think rules don’t apply to them and that they should be able to do whatever they want, whenever they want, due to a misguided interpretation of freedom. All one must do to realize this is glance at some of the platitudes written on the signs they carried while engaging in their illegal and disobedient protest behavior throughout Los Angeles.
One of the most popular signs read, “No one is illegal.” It is a common refrain from illegal immigrant enthusiasts and apologists. But the truth is, yes, some people are illegal, or, more specifically, some people are in the country illegally. They don’t have to be, however. It is what they chose. This is an integral point that pro-illegal immigrant apologists regularly ignore. Immigrants can enter the country legally. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants do so each year and are granted citizenship. Illegal immigrants, however, purposely choose to usurp immigration laws.
Why? Because of selfish interests and desires for instant gratification. This truth is the crux of the illegal immigration debate. Proponents try to distract from this and portray them as noble people just trying to pursue a better life. And this may indeed be true. I would venture to say it is valid for the majority of them. However, this is also true for the people who did it legally. Their interests, desires, and quest for a better life are no less important than those who entered the U.S. illegally.
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But if one willingly chooses to do things unlawfully, then they should be prepared to endure the consequences. However, ignoring the consequences of someone’s poor choices is at the root of the illegal immigration debate — and at the core of left-wing political ideology in general. All cries for empathy are nothing more than performative acts of manipulation predicated on creating feelings of pity and remorse and, in turn, hoping to eliminate consequences for bad decisions.
The people who illegally blocked a highway, illegally vandalized freeway walls, and illegally disobeyed police officers have demonstrated they only believe in doing things illegally. This must be acknowledged and rejected. They are disruptors who seek disorder. They clamor for a breaking of rules. They are entitled agents of chaos who believe they are above the law and should be recognized as such. We must start correctly labeling these people for who they truly are: advocates of breaking the law.