Camas resident Anthony Teso says illegal immigrants are protected by the U.S. Constitution

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

Do illegal immigrants have constitutional rights? Yes, immigrants are protected by the U.S. Constitution. Key provisions, such as due process and equal protection under the law, apply to all persons, including both documented and undocumented immigrants. 

This means that all the rights granted to citizens in the U.S. Constitution are also given to immigrants. Key provisions, such as due process and equal protection under the law, apply to all persons, including both documented and undocumented immigrants. 

We are protected from illegal search and seizure, and so are immigrants. We are accorded due process, so are immigrants; we have a right to an attorney, so are immigrants; we have a right to a hearing, so are immigrants. When we curtail one group’s rights we leave open the door to losing our rights too.

Anthony Teso
Camas

---

Also read:

• 
  Letter: ‘HSD needs to give a detailed line-item accounting of where the last levy went, and of how they plan to use this one’
  Randall Schultz-Rathbun urges Hockinson School District to provide detailed, transparent accounting of past and proposed levy spending before asking voters for additional funds.
• 
  Letter: Interstate Bridge Replacement’s Park & Ride insanity
  Bob Ortblad criticizes the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program’s proposed Park & Ride garages, arguing the costs are excessive and unlikely to receive federal funding.
• 
  Opinion: Vancouver councilors responsible for stoking irrational fears in the community
  Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance sharply criticizes a Vancouver City Council declaration on immigration enforcement, arguing it fuels fear, undermines law enforcement, and lacks supporting evidence.
• 
  Opinion: Washington should stop shielding domestic abusers and sexual offenders from deportation
  Vancouver attorney Angus Lee argues Washington law improperly shields convicted domestic abusers, sexual offenders, and drunk drivers from deportation and urges lawmakers to change it.
• 
  Opinion: Who is leaving Washington and why the politicians need to care
  Mark Harmsworth argues Washington is losing higher-income taxpayers and business owners, warning that rising taxes and regulation threaten long-term economic stability.