1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to express how imperative it is to preserve due process and habeas corpus in our country, and to ask you to demand this Republican administration adhere to them. Due process and habeas corpus are literally how authorities determine if a person should be legally detained or deported, and if that person’s detention is lawful. Without due process and habeas corpus, innocent-until-proven-guilty goes away. We cease to be a nation of laws. The recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement “arrests” become state-sponsored kidnappings. Purported ICE agents snatching people, such as Kilmar Abrego Garcia, off the street and holding them without due process or a writ of habeas corpus is blatantly illegal. This Republican administration’s suggestions that enforcing its political agenda takes precedence over judicial oversight and basic civil liberties guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment shows flagrant disregard for the Constitution. Congress has the power to stop these “arrests” and to demand those persons detained be returned and given their day in court, as the Supreme Court ruled. If this administration chooses to ignore the Supreme Court rulings, Congress has the duty to act. In not doing so, you and your colleagues are abdicating your role as a check on executive abuse of power. My wife and I implore you to protect the Constitution. Protect due process. Protect habeas corpus. Protect our democracy. Return Mr. Abrego Garcia and others illegally held overseas and afford them their due process.