In a stunning display of radical empathy that beggars belief, a New York Democratic U.S. House nominee recently took to CNN to decry as "cruelty" the prospect of deporting an alleged gang member with a rap sheet of gun charges.
Darializa Avila Chevalier, appearing on CNN"s "OutFront," argued that even a non-citizen with alleged gang ties and prior arrests on gun charges, reportedly involved in the shooting of a Customs and Border Protection officer, should not face the "double jeopardy" of both criminal prosecution and immigration action by ICE.
Host Erin Burnett pressed Chevalier on whether such an individual, with a documented criminal history, constituted a "legitimate target for law enforcement to remove from the country." The nominee"s response was as revealing as it was detached from common sense.
Chevalier doubled down, stating, "That is an issue of the criminal courts, right? If — we have a criminal justice system in this country, and it does not make sense to me that we would subject somebody to the double jeopardy of being tried by our criminal courts and then, again, subjected to the cruelty of what we just saw yesterday, by another law enforcement agency like ICE."
Apparently, in the progressive lexicon, upholding immigration law and removing dangerous individuals is now categorized as "cruelty." Chevalier went on to define the "additional punishment" as "deportation and permanent separation from your family." This framing completely ignores the fundamental distinction between criminal justice and immigration enforcement, which are separate legal processes with distinct purposes.
The notion that a non-citizen with alleged ties to gangs and a history of gun offenses should be insulated from deportation — a basic function of national sovereignty — is a breathtaking example of how out of touch some on the radical left have become. For most law-abiding Americans, the "cruelty" lies in allowing dangerous criminals to remain within our borders, not in enforcing the laws designed to protect communities.
This shocking stance from a prospective member of Congress underscores the profound ideological chasm in America. While responsible leaders prioritize the safety and security of citizens and uphold the rule of law, some in the Democratic Party seem more interested in dismantling enforcement agencies and protecting individuals who demonstrably pose a threat. The America First movement stands firm: our borders must be secured, and our laws must be enforced, without apology, to protect the families and communities who call this nation home.
