by Lynette Alice

Created on: May 07, 2008   Last Updated: April 02, 2009

It is difficult to envision there being any situation that would cause legal U.S. citizens losing their right to due process as an offshoot of it being denied to illegal immigrants. Now you can call me naive or overly optimistic in my assessment but there are rational points to support my reasoning. While it is true immigrants legal and illegal haven't always had the best treatment when reaching the U.S. shores times have changed and need to continue changing. They key word in the question posed is "If" which means thus far the right to due process nor any right has been usurped, nor does it appear to even realistically be in danger of happening.

Legal and undocumented citizens are a tough group of people to deal with as it pertains to due process. On the one hand they are legal, but their lack of documentation severely hampers their treatment in regards to legal issues. There are many that view the treatment of undocumented citizens as too harsh, but the harsh reality is if they are facing a legal dilemma there is usually just cause beyond profiling. Furthermore if you are an undocumented legal resident, why not go ahead and get documentation and avoid the myriad of issues surrounding being undocumented. Sure it sounds too simplistic, but if life has taught us anything the simple answer is often right. While this may not end profiling it would certainly help curtail issues like wrongful detention or any potential rights violations.

When it comes to the rights of illegal immigrants in the United States I find it hard to have much sympathy. Yes my grandparents were immigrants, legal immigrants that signed the guest book on the way in and played by the rules. They experienced marginalization and dealt with the issues associated to being Irish in a time that was less than receptive to them including the outright trampling of due process at times. However by entering the country legally they were able to eventually enjoy all their rights. When we speak of illegal aliens remember the key word is "Illegal." They have broken the laws to enter the country.

When a person breaks the law they often lose the right to certain liberties. When an illegal alien is caught do they even actually have the right to due process under our laws? The reality is they don't, the right to due process is for citizens. Even as such we still afford them the privilege of due process. How will denying someone a "Right" they do not legally have going to lead to the rights of those who do losing

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