USCIS arrests of legal immigrants violate rule of law principles
Source: Lizzie O’Leary. "How USCIS arrests run against the rule of law.." February 23, 2026. slate.com
The Gist
The government is using the office that helps people immigrate legally to instead arrest and deport people, even those who are following the rules. This makes the immigration system unpredictable and unfair.
Conclusion
The Department of Homeland Security's use of USCIS (the agency that administers legal immigration) to arrest, detain, and deport people—including those following immigration law—undermines the rule of law
Premises
- USCIS is specifically designed to administer legal immigration processes, not enforcement
- DHS is now using USCIS to arrest, detain, and deport people
- Some of those being targeted are people who are following immigration law
- This practice contradicts claims that immigrants should simply come to America 'the right way'
- Using an administrative agency for enforcement purposes against people following the law creates legal peril even for compliant individuals
Assumptions
- There should be a clear separation between immigration administration and enforcement functions
- People following immigration law should be protected from enforcement actions
- The rule of law requires predictable and consistent application of legal processes
- Government agencies should operate within their designated purposes