WRITE OF CENTER
JENNIFER BARRERAS RAWLS
KENDALL GOP PARTY CHAIR
I’m growing weary of politicians and the media generating outrage over immigration, by misrepresenting the situation. Have we stopped thinking critically, or is it simply easier to accept sensational headlines than to ask tough questions?
Let’s be clear; the role of law enforcement is to enforce laws, not make them. That responsibility lies with Congress. If people disagree with current immigration laws, the pressure should be on lawmakers to change them — not on the officers tasked with upholding them.
Misplacing blame, and using incendiary language, puts law enforcement officers in unnecessary danger, as recent events have shown.
Much of today’s rhetoric — calling immigration arrests “kidnappings,” comparing officers to “Nazis,” saying that illegal aliens are “just disappearing” — ignores the actual process at play which is carefully governed.
When immigration officers make an arrest, it is not arbitrary. They must act within the confines of law, regulations, policies and procedures. They must establish probable cause — a reasonable belief that a crime has been or is being committed.
Even undocumented individuals are protected under this system and have rights, including: * The right to remain silent. * The right to a hearing before an immigration judge.
* The right to appeal an adverse decision.
* The right to seek legal representation (they are provided with a list of free legal services).
* The right to contact their country’s consulate.
* The right to request release on bond or parole in certain circumstances.
* The right to apply for relief, such as asylum or protection under the Convention Against Torture.
The process also includes reviewing records, prior removal orders, immigration status, pending claims, and court dates to ensure that each case is handled according to law and tailored to individual circumstances. In certain cases, this process takes place before arrest.
Furthermore, contrary to popular portrayal, immigration enforcement is not random or lawless. Removal follows a legal process: individuals receive notices, attend hearings before immigration judges, have opportunities to present defenses or seek relief, and can appeal decisions.
Even expedited procedures — for recent border crossers or those with prior removal orders — include safeguards, such as credible fear interviews for asylum seekers.
The immigration process has multiple checks, reviews and legal oversight, making comparisons to “kidnappings” and “disappearances” grossly misleading and inaccurate.
Not everyone arrested is detained. Eligible individuals may be released and placed on “Alternatives to Detention,” requiring phone check-ins or ankle monitoring, allowing them to remain at home with family, while their case proceeds.
All individuals in immigration detention facilities are held under national detention standards and accredited guidelines. They receive medical screening and services, dietician-approved meals and access to phones to contact family. They participate in religious services, stay informed on current affairs and use standard hygiene facilities.
The final decision on whether someone stays in the country or is removed is not made by the arresting officer but by an immigration judge, who weighs claims and applies the law. Some individuals may be removed immediately after arrest at their own request and waiving of rights or due to prior rulings.
Others may be detained or released back into the U.S. while awaiting their immigration hearing. Every case follows a legal framework — a reality far from the removed lawlessness that critics suggest.
Before equating immigration officers with the darkest chapters of history, we should pause. They are not lawmakers nor vigilantes. They are men and women who swore an oath to uphold the law, often at significant personal risk, every single day.
We may debate immigration policy and stand on opposite sides of the issue, but demonizing those who enforce the law is truly un-American — no less absurd than blaming mail carriers for the content of the mail or our military veterans for the wars they were sent to fight.
I urge everyone to approach this issue with critical thinking, examine the facts, and engage in informed discussion rather than spread misinformation — at the expense of our immigration officers. They are Americans, United States citizens just like us, working hard to earn a living, caring for their families and protecting ours.
Jennifer Barreras- Rawls is the Kendall County Republican Party Chair
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