should we fight
terrorism at the expense of what made the U.S. great -
the U.S. Constitution?
As the events
of the September 11th clearly indicate, Justice is
relative - not absolute.
We
may no longer be absolutely a nation under the rule of
law
I am in favor of the fight to
eradicate terrorism. However, it has to be done under
the guidelines of the rule of law not at the whim a
president or other government official.
The
United States Constitution, clearly supports individual
and human rights. Individuals
(legally here or illegally) in the United States must
have the protection of the law of the United States
- Whether the individual in the United States
happens to have permission to be here or not, the law
provides for his protection.
For
example, if someone crosses the U.S. borders illegally,
and begins to live in the U.S. illegally, he or she
enjoys the protection of the law as a U.S. citizen does
- despite the fact that he may be deported if he is
caught. Thus, if the illegal alien gets into a fight
with U.S. Citizen, the illegal
alien can sue the U.S. Citizen in a U. S. state
court for damages. Furthermore, the U.S. Citizen is
subject to criminal sanctions and penalties.
The
immigration does not get involved with the police and
the courts, unless international issues are involved.
Thus, if you are an alien and someone breaks into your
apartment, you can call the police. No one will check
your immigration legal status. That has become the
rule, so that illegal aliens report crimes without the
fear of being found out and subsequently deported.
Things
may be changing
Thus, up
until now, everyone enjoyed the protection of the U.S.
law in the United States. However, after the September
11th terrorist attack, things are changing fast.
Anti-terrorist legislation has been introduced in
congress that gives power to the government to summarily
decide the fate of an alien in the United States.
Whether
the alien is here legally or illegally,
if the Attorney General
reasonably believes ( with or without evidence) that the
alien is involved or connected with terrorists, the
alien may be detained indefinitely or immediately be
deported.
It is
constitutional law (supreme law of the land) in the
United States, however, that all people (legal or
illegal) in the United States, shall enjoy the
protection of the law. Terrorists are people too.
I personally believe that
the government should be tough with terrorists.
Terrorism is really the most lawless
activity. However, I am not sure that we should fight
it at the expense of what made America Great - the U.S.
constitution and the Rule of Law.
E. Stassinos, Esq.
Attorney at Law
California, United States of America