OPINION:
A dozen migrants heading toward the United States with intent to storm across its borders — a la “we have a right to be here!” — kicked off a lawsuit against President Donald Trump this week, alleging he’s violating their Fifth Amendment due process rights.
Really.
Isn’t that sort of like home burglars whose hands are cut by the glass they break during commission of their crimes turning around and suing the homeowners for medical treatment?
Seems sort of the same anyway.
The Fifth Amendment says this: “[N]o person … shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”
And now all the leftists who normally scorn the Constitution and strict interpretations of said Constitution have suddenly become constitutional experts, schooled in Antonin Scalia-like readings of law. Again: Really.
PBS, for instance, referenced a Supreme Court case Scalia heard in 1993 to make the point that “It is well established that the Fifth Amendment entitles aliens to due process of law in a deportation proceeding.”
From that, comes this: A dozen Hondurans — six of whom are minors — have filed a suit in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., accusing that Trump’s announced intent to halt this caravan from crossing, by military if need be, is tantamount to a violation of their constitutional rights. And oh yeah, Trump’s rhetoric is hurtful, the suit goes on to say, because he’s fueling “fear and hysteria” by saying the caravan could include criminal elements.
Who’s filing on these Hondurans’ behalf?
Nexus Services Inc. is paying for the court fight through Nexus Derechos Humanos Attorneys Inc., a human rights firm, according to Fox News.
“The suit,” Fox News reported, “cited a Trump interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, where the president laid out plans to build tent cities to house migrants. The suit questioned the functionality of such a project, and asked if these living quarters would qualify under the Flores Agreement of 1997. The agreement protects asylum-seekers’ rights and limits how long minors can be held.”
Isn’t it strange how those on the left always mock and scoff the Constitution as a living, breathing and oft-out-of-date document — except when it can be used against the conservative point of view?
The Constitution is a political tool to liberals, that’s all. And now, turning to Scalia — the Democrats’ former court enemy number one — and using this jurist’s founding father views to score wins on behalf of the caravan’s infiltrating wanna-be infiltrators?
That’s beyond laughable.
Fact is, the laws of the United States were made first and foremost to protect the citizens of the United States. That’s the theme, that’s the tone, that’s the basic premise.
Noncitizens have limited access, limited benefits. And on this storming caravan that seeks to cross, the boundary lines are clear: The rights of these noncitizens do not trump the rights of U.S. citizens.
Asylum laws do not, and should not, strip citizens already in-country of their inherent, God-given and constitutionally protected rights to be safe and secure in their own homes and possessions — to be guarded by their own government on matters of national security. It’s simply common sense.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley.
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