I Also Stand For America

To the editor:

In Sandy Hooper’s letter on Jan. 29, she announces that she stands for America. Well, so do I and everyone I know regardless of political affiliation. She also announces that she stands for President Trump. I most definitely do not stand for a president who has threatened the traditional democratic norms of American society, made life less affordable for the average American family, and has ruthlessly assaulted the alliances which have keptAmerica safe since World War 2. Ms. Hooper expresses her strong support for President Trump’s immigration policy and the way it is being enforced in various American cities. However, Ms. Hooper’s angry letter is full of misleading comparisons, unsupported assertions, and broad generalizations that do not withstand scrutiny.

Ms. Hooper begins by listing deportation totals from past administrations to argue that criticism by Democrats of current enforcement is hypocritical. This is a false equivalence. Raw deportation numbers say nothing about enforcement methods, due process protections, or accountability. The present concern by critics of President Trump is not how many people are deported, but whether detentions are lawful, whether mistakes are corrected promptly, and whether federal agents are operating transparently. Citing historical totals is a smoke screen to avoid addressing the real issue.

She then claims that protests, lawsuits, and public criticism exist only because Democrats are angry about losing an election. This is nonsense presented as fact. Americans— including conservatives, independents, veterans, clergy, and former law-enforcement officials—have raised concerns about the failure of ICE to respect civil liberties and constitutional limits.

Ms. Hooper repeatedly asserts that Democrats “don’t care about America or Americans” and have “no plans, no solutions, no ideas.” These ridiculous assertions are offensive to millions of American citizens - your neighbors, teachers, religious leaders, veterans, law enforcement officers, and elected officials – even more and more Republicans. There is no justification for such hostility toward so many of her fellow Americans who are decent, loyal, and honorable citizens. Such absurd claims do not advance an argument. They replace the facts of history with undocumented accusations that undermine any serious discussion of policy.

Another false statement is the assertion that “there is always a reason” people are deported and that those removed do not respect American law. This is more nonsense and factually false. Numerous cases document individuals detained or deported because of clerical errors, missed hearings, lost notices, or unresolved legal claims. Many undocumented immigrants have lived in the United States for years, worked legally when permitted, paid taxes, and raised United States citizen children.. America is a stronger, more economically improved society for immigration. Economists have verified this fact. Immigration law has always involved discretion. Denying this reality misrepresents both the law and its history.

Ms. Hooper dismisses concerns about masked, unidentified federal agents as a “Democrat talking point.” This is a labeling tactic, not a rebuttal. Accountability and identification of government officers exercising coercive power are core principles of American law. Questioning anonymous authority is not anti-law-enforcement; it is a demand for transparency that protects both citizens and officers. She conflates criticism of ICE enforcement practices with support for violent protest. This is a false dichotomy. One can unequivocally condemn violence while insisting that government actions comply with Constitutional standards. Peaceful protest, court challenges, and public criticism are lawful and Constitutionally protected rights in a democratic system. They are not threats to public order.

Finally, invoking crimes committed by undocumented immigrants to suggest that critics are indifferent to victims is a bogus claim intending to incite an appeal to fear and racism. Violent crime should be punished severely regardless of immigration status. But extensive research shows immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, commit violent crime at lower rates than native-born citizens. Isolated tragedies cannot justify sweeping and false claims or the erosion of due process.

In sum, Ms. Hooper’s letter substitutes emotion, false statements and generalization for evidence and analysis. A serious discussion of immigration enforcement must be grounded in facts, Constitutional principles, and accountability—not caricatures of political opponents. That standard serves both public safety and the rule of law.

Bill Balch La Grange