During a recent TV interview, President Donald Trump of the United States expressed uncertainty regarding his obligation to uphold the US Constitution. The conversation took place on NBC News, where Trump was asked about the due process rights of undocumented immigrants in the US. When questioned by NBC’s Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker, Trump seemed unsure about whether noncitizens are entitled to due process, despite Welker’s reminder that the Constitution guarantees due process to all individuals, regardless of citizenship status.
Trump’s hesitation on the matter of due process for immigrants is not new. In previous interviews, he has suggested that those who enter the country illegally may not be entitled to the same legal protections as US citizens. However, legal experts and court decisions affirm that immigrants, whether legal or not, have due process rights under the Constitution.
Due process rights ensure that individuals are afforded fair procedures and legal protections by the government. These rights extend to all people in the US, including noncitizens, and dictate the process by which the government must handle immigration cases. Without due process, experts warn that even US citizens could face deportation without proper legal recourse.
While due process rights apply to all individuals in the US, the specific procedures and protections may vary for noncitizens depending on their immigration status. For example, expedited removal processes may apply to recent undocumented immigrants, while those expressing fear of persecution may be eligible for asylum hearings.
Trump’s comments on due process for immigrants highlight the ongoing debate over immigration policies and the legal rights of noncitizens in the US. Despite differing opinions, the Constitution and legal precedent affirm the importance of due process rights for all individuals within the country’s borders. Dia telah menggunakan undang-undang itu untuk mendepak orang-orang yang pemerintahannya katakan adalah anggota geng penjara Venezuela Tren de Aragua, tanpa sidang pengadilan imigrasi. Pemerintahan Trump telah mendepak ratusan orang di bawah undang-undang tersebut.
Namun, Mahkamah Agung AS memutuskan melawan pemerintahan pada 7 April, mengatakan bahwa mereka harus memberi imigran pemberitahuan bahwa mereka akan dideportasi berdasarkan Undang-Undang Musuh Asing, dan memberi mereka “waktu yang wajar” untuk menantang deportasi di pengadilan.
Walaupun penghapusan yang dipercepat dan Undang-Undang Musuh Asing membatasi perlindungan proses hukum seseorang, mereka tidak menghilangkannya. “Tidak ada pengecualian untuk proses hukum,” kata Bush-Joseph.
Sebagai tambahan, warga nonkewarganegara yang dituduh melakukan kejahatan menerima perlindungan proses hukum yang sama dengan warga AS di pengadilan pidana, kata Somin.
“Semua perlindungan dari Bill of Rights berlaku [di pengadilan pidana],” kata Somin. “Harus ada bukti melebihi keraguan yang wajar. Dia berhak atas persidangan oleh juri, hak melawan diri sendiri, hak atas penasehat hukum, dan sebagainya.”
Mengapa hak proses hukum imigran menjadi berita utama sekarang?
Pemerintahan Trump menghadapi beberapa kasus pengadilan yang menangani deportasi dan hak proses hukum imigran. Mereka termasuk tantangan atas penggunaan Undang-Undang Musuh Asing oleh Trump dan deportasi keliru seorang pria Salvador.
Pejabat pemerintahan telah mengkritik hakim dan menolak perlindungan proses hukum imigran.
“Proses hukum menjamin hak-hak terdakwa pidana yang dihadapi penuntutan, bukan warga asing ilegal yang dihadapi deportasi,” tulis penasihat Gedung Putih Stephen Miller di X pada 5 Mei.