LA Times Places Emotions Over Reality in Deportation Case

A recent Los Angeles Times article highlights the story of a Mexican illegal alien who is set to be deported from the country despite being an “essential worker” (a false assertion) who has lived in the country for more than 30 years. 

To the average news reader, the piece depicts Victoria Galindo Lopez, a “housekeeper,” as a victim of harsh U.S. immigration policies. However, the piece is riddled with distortions that must be addressed.

Below are some points made in the article (and generally by the corporate media) that often place emotions over reality, and the counterpoints.

Galindo was 16 when she fled Mexico in 1988 for better work opportunities in the U.S. She entered the country without inspection and lived here without legal status.

These sentences fail to mention that entering the country illegally and living in the country without proper legal status (for roughly 32 years) are both serious offenses that automatically make an alien deportable and subject to jail time. Coming to the U.S. for “better work opportunities” does not exempt an individual from having to abide by the nation’s immigration laws.

Although Immigration and Customs Enforcement has allowed her [Victoria Galindo Lopez] to remain in the United States for nearly two decades for humanitarian reasons, the agency this year denied her application to renew her stay, without explanation. ‘The truth is that this is so unjust,’” Galindo said.

What is so “unjust” about collecting paychecks and reaping public benefits after defying the nation’s immigration laws for some 32 years? Better yet, how is it still “unjust” after being given an opportunity to remain in the country for additional two decades after being caught violating the nation’s immigration laws?

Galindo said she and her then-husband did not have a valid asylum claim and weren’t aware that the notario [fake immigration lawyer] had scammed them and submitted fraudulent paperwork.

In addition to entering the country illegally, living in the country illegally, and working in the country illegally, Galindo took part in another crime by participating in a scheme to fraudulently obtain asylum in the country. Whether or not she was genuinely aware that she was scammed, she still partook in another serious crime that should not permit her to remain in the country.

Galindo has four children — all but one a U.S. citizen — no criminal record, a steady job and a mortgage.

No criminal record?! I am counting at least four crimes committed by Galindo. Not committing crimes (especially those that go beyond the efforts to remain in the United States) should be a basic expectation, not an extraordinary achievement that deserves special recognition. Having a “steady job” and a “mortgage” are impressive feats but by no means are mechanisms to exempt someone from a series of committed crimes. If, as the LA Times alludes, these items exempt an illegal alien from the rule of law, would they consider U.S. citizens with “steady jobs” and “mortgages” exempt from their crimes too? 

Make no mistake: Galindo is not a dangerous criminal. She is simply trying to improve her economic condition and provide for her family. Many individuals like Galindo are in the same position. However, collectively the impact of more than 14 million illegal aliens in the country costs American taxpayers some $135 billion annually and undermines the jobs and wages of American workers.

At a certain point, our nation’s laws must be enforced to prioritize the interests of law- abiding Americans and immigrants. The LA Times refuses to provide this context and instead purports a narrative that is based on emotions rather than reality.