The editorial “How we treat detainees reflects on us as a society” (Oct. 29) is a prime example of left-wing media misrepresenting facts and a callous disregard for the truth to promote an agenda.

Immigrants here illegally are not just noncitizens like diplomats, asylum applicants or tourist/business/student visa holders. They are foreign nationals who have committed one or more crimes.

Though illegal immigrants may have no criminal record, the editorial’s intent in using that phrase implies they haven’t committed a crime. This is a deliberate deception. Illegal immigrants commit crimes such as entering the U.S. without inspection, paying thousands of dollars to terrorist/drug trafficking cartels to assist in human smuggling or Social Security fraud. For them, simply working in the U.S. is illegal. They have no record because it would be impossible to prosecute over 15 million illegal immigrants in the justice system. In 2025 there were only 86,000 federal prosecutions.

The average detainment time for illegal immigrants is 50 days. No, lengthy detainment is not the same in the U.S. as in regimes that engage in lengthy detainment without trial. Those regimes do so against innocent citizens. The U.S. detains only foreign nationals who have committed crimes.

The editorial doesn’t state that those illegal immigrants detained were offered the option of self-deportation (not being arrested), a free plane ticket and $2,600. They chose to be arrested, telling DHS basically to stuff it: we do not care about your laws; we are staying; you have to catch us.

Regardless, even those who are detained can still opt for voluntary departure with conditions including a bond. Though the 5th and 8th circuits and the Board of Immigration Appeals have ruled that there is no constitutional right to a bond hearing, seeking a habeas corpus ruling is an option.