Every time the issue of immigration resurfaces in the American political conversation, the same tired slogans get trotted out: "Immigrants built America," "No human being is illegal," "This is stolen land," and so on. But slogans are not arguments. They're rhetorical smoke bombs meant to obscure facts and short-circuit serious debate. So let’s clear the air.

The issue is not immigration. It is illegal immigration. That distinction matters. America has always welcomed lawful immigrants who come through the front door. What we reject—and must continue to reject—is lawlessness at our borders.

Myth 1: "Immigrants Built America"

Fact: Settlers Built America Under Law, Not Open Borders

Let’s get our definitions straight. Immigrants are people who come to a country through an established legal process. Illegal aliens bypass that process. The phrase "immigrants built America" is often used to smuggle in an unspoken endorsement of open borders and unlawful entry. It’s dishonest.

The truth is, America was built by settlers — men and women who established colonies, built homesteads, organized governments, and pledged loyalty to a vision rooted in law, liberty, and self-governance. These settlers didn’t sneak across borders; they carved out civilization where none existed, forging the institutions that would define the American experiment. Later waves of immigrants joined that framework, yes, but always under the expectation that they would become citizens, not colonists of a parallel system.

Illegal immigration is not a continuation of that legacy; it's a distortion of it.

Myth 2: "There Is No Illegal on Stolen Land"

Fact: California Is Rightfully American, and History Proves It

One of the most absurd (and increasingly popular) arguments from the radical Left is that America has no right to enforce immigration laws because the land itself is “stolen.” California, they argue, was unjustly seized from Mexico, so anyone should be able to cross the border at will. This is historical nonsense.

Here’s a brief refresher:

• In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain and claimed territories in the American Southwest.
• By the 1840s, those territories were sparsely populated, poorly governed, and filled with American settlers who had moved in legally under agreements with the Mexican government.
• When tensions erupted into the Mexican-American War (1846–1848), the U.S. military decisively won.
• The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) legally transferred California, Arizona, New Mexico, and other lands to the U.S. for $15 million.

This wasn’t theft. It was a negotiated, legally ratified treaty between sovereign nations. The U.S. paid for the land and assumed the debts of Mexican citizens in those territories. That’s called international law.

So yes, California is America’s land. And on American land, American law applies.

Myth 3: "No Human Being Is Illegal"

Fact: Sovereignty Requires Lawful Boundaries

The phrase "No human being is illegal" is emotionally manipulative, not legally coherent. It conflates a person's dignity with their actions. Of course, human beings are not "illegal" in their essence—but actions can be illegal, and entering a nation without permission is one of them.

Try walking into North Korea, China, or Mexico without documentation and see what happens. Every sovereign nation on Earth reserves the right to control its borders. Why should America be the only exception?

This slogan subtly promotes the idea that sovereignty is immoral, that the nation-state is a relic of colonialism, and that anyone should be able to go anywhere, anytime, without consequence. That worldview is not only unworkable—it’s suicidal. A country that cannot define who belongs within its borders has no borders at all.

Bonus Myth: "They're Just Coming for a Better Life"

Fact: Intentions Don't Excuse Lawbreaking

Yes, many who cross our border illegally want a better life. But noble motives do not override the rule of law. Plenty of people rob banks because they’re desperate or in debt. That doesn't mean we stop arresting bank robbers.

If we turn a blind eye to illegal immigration because it's emotionally difficult to enforce the law, we undermine all law. Compassion must be coupled with clarity. Charity must operate under the rule of law, or it turns into chaos.

Conclusion: Truth Over Slogans

America is a nation of laws, not hashtags. Immigration is not the issue. Illegal immigration is. And it’s not compassionate or progressive to excuse lawbreaking, undermine our borders, and rewrite history to suit ideological aims. It's dishonest. Worse, it's dangerous.

If we want to preserve the blessings of liberty for future generations, we must enforce our laws, protect our sovereignty, and tell the truth—even when it’s unpopular.

References

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) - https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=false&doc=26
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services - https://www.uscis.gov
• U.S. Library of Congress: Mexican-American War - https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/mexican-american-war/