1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

Kilmar Abrego Garcia was not afforded due process, as required by the Constitution. He was summarily given a life sentence in a concentration camp before he could even talk to a lawyer or judge. The Constitution’s Fifth Amendment specifically states every “person” in the United States shall receive due process. “Innocent until proven guilty” is the foundation of American jurisprudence. Everyone is entitled to a defense in court. It doesn’t matter if the person is El Chapo or the Dalai Lama. Denying Mr. Abrego Garcia due process is a violation of America’s core laws and principles. As soon as we abandon the idea everyone is equal under the law and has the right to due process, we’ve lost democracy. As soon as we say certain people in the country have fewer legal protections than others, we are on a short path into autocracy. If this can happen to Mr. Abrego Garcia, it can happen to anyone. My wife and I, again, urge you to fulfil your oath as a member of Congress to defend the Constitution. Demand this Republican administration free Mr. Abrego Garcia and grant him his constitutionally-guaranteed day in court.