Protecting a Nation Without Abandoning Compassion

Los Angeles has become the latest flashpoint in the national debate over immigration. In recent days, thousands poured into the streets to protest aggressive ICE enforcement operations targeting undocumented immigrants. The demonstrations—some peaceful, others erupting into clashes with law enforcement—have drawn national attention.

Compounding the tension, President Trump mobilized National Guard troops under federal authority, overriding Governor Newsom. Newsom did not request the deployment and accused the administration of escalating the crisis with unnecessary force. The city, already grappling with homelessness and economic fragility, now finds itself at the center of a renewed struggle over the balance of law and compassion.

While many protesters have marched peacefully to voice their legitimate fears and frustrations, a disturbing number have turned to vandalism, violence, and physical confrontations with law enforcement. Public buildings have been defaced, small businesses damaged, and city services disrupted. This behavior, no matter how passionate the cause, undermines the very message of justice and human dignity the protesters claim to support. As a society, we cannot call for humane treatment from our institutions while disregarding public safety and the rule of law in the streets. Civil disobedience can be powerful—but violence is not the answer.

President Joe Biden entered office vowing to take a more humane and compassionate approach to immigration. In doing so, he reversed several key Trump-era policies—moves that, while perhaps well-intentioned, contributed to a perception that the U.S. border was now open.

One of the most impactful changes was ending the “Remain in Mexico” program, which had forced asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their cases were processed. Instead, thousands were allowed into the U.S. with court dates scheduled months—or even years—into the future. The administration also issued new ICE guidelines that significantly narrowed who agents could arrest or deport, focusing only on recent arrivals and serious criminals. Many undocumented immigrants who had been living in the country for years were suddenly no longer targeted for enforcement.

At the same time, deportations slowed, and a growing number of migrants were released into the U.S. on humanitarian parole or with minimal paperwork. Construction of the border wall was halted, and emergency funding for border enforcement was challenged. Although the Biden administration publicly urged migrants not to come, the combination of policy shifts and softer rhetoric was interpreted—particularly via social media—as an open invitation.

By 2022, illegal border crossings reached record highs, with over 2 million migrant encounters in a single year. Cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago were soon overwhelmed with new arrivals—many of whom had no housing, no work permits, and no path to legal status.

In response to what he calls the “Biden Border Disaster,” Donald Trump has returned to the national stage with a familiar promise: to restore order through tough immigration enforcement. As part of his 2024 campaign push, Trump authorized a large-scale deployment of ICE agents to conduct arrests of undocumented individuals across sanctuary cities like Los Angeles. Supporters argue these actions are overdue. They say immigration laws must be enforced consistently and that the surge in illegal immigration has placed unbearable pressure on public services, increased crime in some areas, and contributed to a sense of lawlessness. To Trump’s base, the federal ICE crackdown is a restoration of justice. But to many others, it feels like a federal invasion.

Even Americans who believe immigration must be controlled are increasingly uncomfortable with how Trump’s policies are being executed. ICE raids carried out in the early morning hours, reports of families separated without warning, and the detention of long-settled individuals with no criminal history have stirred public outcry. Critics say that while enforcing immigration law is necessary, the sweeping and militarized tactics being used lack nuance and humanity. They point to mixed-status families being torn apart, undocumented workers who’ve lived in the U.S. for decades being rounded up, and children traumatized by sudden detentions.

There are more humane ways to enforce immigration laws. Targeted enforcement that focuses on removing individuals who pose genuine threats to public safety, rather than broad and indiscriminate sweeps, can uphold law and order without generating fear. Community-based alternatives to detention, such as supervised release programs, have proven both cost-effective and successful in ensuring court appearances, without the need for jail cells.

ICE should avoid making arrests at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, places of worship, and especially courthouses. Arresting undocumented immigrants at courthouses deters people from attending legal proceedings—whether they are defendants, victims, or witnesses. Local judges and prosecutors across the country have warned that these practices undermine the entire justice system by discouraging cooperation and fueling fear.

Transparency is also crucial. Enforcement actions should be conducted with judicial warrants, and individuals should be clearly informed of their rights, rather than being subjected to intimidation or secrecy. Additionally, partnering with nonprofits and legal service providers to help undocumented immigrants pursue any available legal status is a practical and humane part of the solution.

Ultimately, the chaos on the streets of Los Angeles is not just about Trump or Biden. It’s the result of decades of congressional inaction. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have failed to pass meaningful immigration reform, leaving the country with a system that is outdated, overwhelmed, and riddled with contradictions. America needs secure borders and a fair asylum process. It needs to prioritize the removal of dangerous individuals while offering a path to legal status for immigrants who have contributed to society for years. These goals are

not mutually exclusive—but achieving them requires political courage.

Until Congress does its job, the country will remain stuck in an endless cycle of overreach, backlash, and dysfunction—playing out not only at the border and in courtrooms, but in the city streets as well.

Lou Shapiro is a criminal defense attorney-certified specialist and legal analyst, but most importantly, makes the end-of-shul announcements at Adas Torah. He can be reached at LouisJShapiro@gmail.com.