Talking About Immigrants and the Criminal Justice System

When discussing how our criminal justice system treats immigrants, the words we choose and the frameworks we use can make the difference between meaningful dialogue and unproductive debate. In today’s polarized climate, advocates need practical, values-based communication strategies that bridge divides rather than widen them. This guide offers five essential tips for discussing immigration justice issues, along with ready-to-use sample messaging that connects deeply held American values with practical solutions. Whether you’re speaking with policymakers, community members, or the media, these approaches can help you make a compelling case for a system that upholds both accountability and human dignity—one that truly reflects our nation’s highest ideals while creating safer communities for everyone.

Tips

1. Talk about the values that should guide our criminal justice system. Start by talking about what most Americans believe in: equal treatment under the law, keeping communities safe, and using common sense approaches that match our values. When we begin with these shared beliefs, people are more likely to listen.
2. Outline how current policies are failing us. Vague criticisms like “the system is broken” can make problems seem insurmountable. Therefore, be specific in which policies need to change and who needs to change them. For example: “When local police are forced to act as immigration agents, it makes immigrant communities afraid to report crimes.”
3. Avoid myth-busting. Don’t waste time repeating false claims even to correct them. This only makes people remember the myths better! Instead, simply share accurate information: “Immigrants are actually less likely to commit crimes than people born here.”
4. Offer clear solutions. Don’t just say what we shouldn’t be doing. Suggest better approaches that will prevent future tragedies. For example: “Providing legal representation to immigrants in detention would ensure fairer outcomes and save taxpayer money in the long run.”
5. Acknowledge the need for accountability when people make mistakes. While many people are caught up unfairly in the criminal justice system, we need to acknowledge that there still must be a fair and reasonable plan for those who have made mistakes, or even committed serious crimes, to move forward.

Sample Message #1

Value: We all make mistakes. But most Americans believe that people deserve a second chance, and that most mistakes shouldn’t ruin our lives and the lives of our loved ones.

Problem: Yet our criminal justice system does exactly that to many immigrants. Even if you’ve lived here for years, you can be deported if you’ve been accused of a low-level offense like shoplifting. Many immigrants in the system don’t get access to lawyers, and thousands are detained for indefinite amounts of time with no hearing. While there’s no question that we all should be held accountable for our actions, indefinite detention or permanent banishment from the country for minor offenses clearly don’t match the severity of the mistake.

Solution: We need to re-examine how our justice system treats everyone here and align that with the values we hold dear. We need a fair system that makes sure we don’t punish people without a hearing or access to lawyers. Those rights are central to our values.

Action:  You can help create meaningful change in our immigration justice system. Start by contacting your congressional representatives today and urging them to support legislation that guarantees legal representation and timely hearings for all immigrants facing deportation. Sign our petition at [website] calling for an end to indefinite detention without due process. Join our community advocacy network to connect with others working for change in your area. Share these stories on social media to raise awareness about how current policies affect real families.

Sample Message #2

Value: America works best when our laws reflect our shared values of equity, fairness, and appropriate accountability.

Problem: But our criminal justice undermines these principles by creating two separate and unequal legal frameworks—one for citizens and another for immigrants. When someone who wasn’t born here faces a completely different legal process with fewer protections, regardless of how minor or serious their offense or how long they’ve contributed to our communities, we’ve abandoned our commitment to equal justice. While everyone should face appropriate consequences for wrongdoing, the stark disparity in treatment creates a troubling double standard that doesn’t just harm immigrants—it weakens the foundation of our legal system for everyone.

Solution: By reforming these policies to ensure consistent standards of justice, due process, and respect for human dignity, we can build a system that truly honors America’s highest ideals and strengthens public safety for all communities.

Action: Contact your representatives and urge them to support immigration justice reform that ensures due process for all. Share these messages with friends and family to expand understanding of how current policies affect real people in your community. Support organizations working on the frontlines of this issue through your time, talents, or contributions.