The Power of the Constitution and the Danger of Ignoring It

When I was a child, I noticed that my father always carried a pocket Constitution. At the time, I didn’t understand why. It seemed like an odd thing to keep with him at all times. But as I grew older and began learning about the Constitution in school, in college, and later in life—when I had to rely on it in personal interactions with law enforcement—I finally understood.

The Constitution is not just a document; it is a powerful and sacred guarantee of rights that American citizens possess, unlike anything seen throughout human history. My father, who was born and raised in Mexico and later became a U.S. citizen, understood this deeply. Having lived in a country without these protections, he truly treasured the Constitution and passed that reverence on to his children.

Fast forward to today, and I believe the Constitution is profoundly underrated. Too often, we take its protections for granted. If you’ve ever watched someone take an oath of office—whether for a local position like school board member or for the President of the United States—the first pledge they make is to uphold the Constitution. This speaks to its importance and the weight it carries.

The Constitution Under Attack

Unfortunately, today we are witnessing blatant violations of this very foundation of American democracy. Former President Donald Trump, who took the same oath to uphold the Constitution, has repeatedly disregarded its principles in pursuit of his agenda.

One shocking example is his administration’s recent actions targeting Latino men. Law enforcement has been rounding up individuals who fit a certain profile—bald heads, tattoos, a certain “look”—and deporting them to an El Salvadoran prison, where they are left to rot without due process. Many of these individuals could very well be legal asylum seekers or even American citizens, yet they are being denied the fundamental rights the Constitution guarantees.

This is not just an immigration issue; it is a constitutional crisis. The right to due process, protected under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, is being disregarded entirely. The idea that the government can detain and deport individuals without a fair hearing should alarm every American.

Another disturbing development is the recent targeting of college students on green cards and student visas. Some have been rounded up, placed in detention centers, and face the threat of deportation—not for committing crimes, but for exercising their First Amendment rights. Their “offense” was simply speaking out, protesting, and using their voices, something that the Constitution explicitly protects.

What Can We Do?

This is a dangerous moment in American history. When a government begins silencing dissent and stripping away constitutional rights based on appearance or political expression, we are heading down a dark path.

Now is the time to act. Call your local representatives. Write to them. Email them. Make your voice heard. The Constitution is only as strong as the people willing to defend it. If we don’t stand up now, we risk losing the very freedoms that make America what it is.

The Constitution is not just words on paper—it is the backbone of our democracy. And it’s up to all of us to ensure it remains protected.