Laws or Chaos
Protest the Law - Not the People Enforcing It
ICE agents do not write immigration law. They do not set policy. They do not decide who is legal or illegal. Their role is simple: enforce the laws passed by Congress.
If people believe immigration law is unjust, outdated, or in need of reform, there is a lawful and constructive path forward: petition Congress to change the law. That is how our constitutional system works. Laws are changed through legislation, debate, voting, and public accountability - not through harassment, intimidation, vandalism, or physical attacks on federal employees.
Protesting Enforcement Undermines the Rule of Law
Protesting the enforcement of immigration law is not an expression of compassion. Compassion is a feeling. Law enforcement is a legal function. The two are not the same and should never be confused.
Laws regulate conduct, not emotion. Enforcing them is not about sympathy, anger, or politics - it is about whether an action is lawful or unlawful. Likewise, protesting laws should be framed as a demand for legal reform, not as an emotional appeal to excuse violations.
When enforcement is obstructed, the result is not “compassion.” The result is selective lawlessness, where some violations are tolerated based on political pressure or emotional narratives. That undermines equal protection under the law and destroys public trust in the justice system.
Illegal entry, visa overstays, and unlawful reentry after removal are federal crimes. When protests attempt to interfere with enforcement, they are not expressing compassion - they are demanding that the law be ignored, selectively and politically.
In a nation governed by laws, not emotions, that is unacceptable.
Attacking Federal Agents Is Never Acceptable
Across the country, ICE agents have been harassed, assaulted, threatened, and targeted simply for doing their jobs. Federal vehicles and buildings have been vandalized. Operations have been disrupted. Agents have been physically harmed.
This behavior is morally wrong and legally criminal.
Targeting public servants for enforcing laws - regardless of political beliefs - is a direct assault on the rule of law itself. When enforcement becomes optional based on political pressure, society begins to unravel.
Personal Perspective: Don’t Shoot the Messenger
Right here in Pueblo there are people who remove gang graffiti, clean homeless encampments, and maintain public spaces. They have been verbally harassed, threatened, and confronted by people who disliked what was being done.
But they didn't create the policies.
They were hired to do the job.
If citizens had concerns, the appropriate place to take those complaints was to supervisors, city officials, or lawmakers - not to attack frontline workers.
ICE agents are no different.
They didn’t create immigration law. They didn’t write it. They didn’t enact it. They simply enforce it - just as police enforce criminal law, building inspectors enforce code, and health officials enforce safety regulations.
The Proper Channel for Change: Congress
If protesters genuinely want change, there is only one legitimate path:
Congress.
That means:
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Contacting elected representatives
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Organizing lawful advocacy
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Supporting legislative reform
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Participating in elections
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Convincing fellow citizens
Real change requires persuading the American public, not intimidating law enforcement.
And yes - meaningful reform would require broad national consensus. That is not a flaw in the system. That is a safeguard to prevent mob rule and emotional policymaking.
Final Thought
Peaceful protest is a constitutional right.
Harassment, violence, vandalism, and obstruction are not.
Attack bad laws if you believe they exist.
Challenge flawed policy if you disagree.
Demand reform through lawful means.
But never attack the people tasked with enforcing the law.
Because once society decides that laws only matter when we agree with them - the rule of law itself collapses.
A society that targets its law enforcers instead of its lawmakers has already lost its way. If we allow emotion, outrage, or ideology to override equal enforcement of the law, we replace justice with chaos. Change the law if you believe it is wrong - but never attack those sworn to uphold it. Because when enforcement becomes optional, accountability disappears, and when accountability disappears, so does the rule of law.
