The U.S. Constitution’s Preamble says, “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United  States of America.”

It lays out the background of the battleground in the immigration debate. Its words, penned in 1787, are both a vision and a lightning rod, sparking endless arguments about who “We the People” includes and what America owes to those beyond its borders. Today, as the nation grapples with an immigration crisis that pits compassion against control, the Preamble remains a contested touchstone, with each side claiming its ideals as their own.

If you visit the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, paying about $15 for a ticket, you’re in for a treat. The theater show walks you through America’s story—starting with the American Revolution, touching on the barbaric practice of slavery, the Civil War’s bloodshed, and America’s triumphs over countless challenges. You leave the theater buzzing with admiration, feeling the “wow” of how great America is. But then, upstairs, you stroll along a semicircular pathway lined with dates marking when each state and territory joined the Union. It kicked off with Delaware on December 7, 1787, the first state to ratify the Constitution. The timeline chugs along, adding states every few years in a steady rhythm until Arizona joins on February 14, 1912. Then, after a longer gap, Alaska popped up on January 3, 1959. You think that’s the end, but no—Hawaii follows on August 21, 1959, and the American territory of the Northern Mariana Islands rounds it out on March 24, 1976. Standing there, you can’t help but wonder: with a nation still expanding, stitching itself together, why is immigration—the issue that seems to tie it all up in knots—still unresolved?

Comprehending Immigration Crisis

To understand why immigration is such a mess today, you must look back. When northern and western Europeans first poured onto the continent, there were no border checkpoints or visa lines. Documentation? Barely a thing. From the colonial days through the 19th century, white settlers from England, Germany, Ireland, and beyond arrived freely, fuelling America’s growth. This was voluntary, unrestricted migration, pushing the native Americans out of their homelands, a free-for-all that built the nation’s early backbone.

Treating Preamble as a Battleground

The Preamble’s lofty words are where both sides dig in. Trump supporters and liberals read the same text but see wildly different mandates.

For Trump supporters, the Preamble is a citizen-first manifesto. “We the People” means Americans—specifically, those tied to the nation’s founding stock. They lean hard on “insure domestic Tranquility” and “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,” arguing that unchecked immigration threatens both. Illegal crossings, they say, strain public resources, drive down wages, and spark unrest, undermining tranquility. Their solution? Tight borders, deportations, and policies that put Americans first.

They point to history for backup. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower launched Operation Wetback, a mass deportation campaign that rounded up over a million people, mostly Mexicans, many of whom were legal residents caught in the net. For Trump supporters, this is a precedent: tough action to protect American workers and order. They argue the founders, many of whom owned slaves, wrote the Preamble for a white, citizen-led nation, and that liberal reinterpretations have strayed from that vision. The swing toward Republican priorities, fueled by voters fed up with open borders, is, in their eyes, a return to the Preamble’s original intent.

Liberals see the Preamble as a call for inclusivity. To them, “form a more perfect Union” and “establish Justice” mean welcoming immigrants who’ve always strengthened America. They argue that “promote the general Welfare” includes everyone within the nation’s borders, not just citizens. Immigrants, legal or not, fill vital jobs—think agriculture, construction, tech—and boost the economy. Turning them away, liberals say, is neither
just nor practical.

They also spin the Preamble as a living promise. The Constitution’s evolution—through amendments like the 14th, guaranteeing equal protection—shows it can stretch beyond the founders’ biases. Liberals argue that Supreme Court justices, often appointed by progressive leaders, have rightfully expanded “We the People” to include marginalised groups, including immigrants. Policies like DACA or asylum protections align with this vision, honoring America’s role as a haven. For liberals, Trump’s crackdowns—border walls, travel bans, family separations—are an assault on the Preamble’s spirit, sowing division instead of unity.

The Current Push and Pull

With millions of Americans having relatives or friends who are undocumented, pushback against Trump’s policies is fierce. Political opponents, sensing an opening, are teaming up with these communities, setting the stage for upheaval, especially as warmer months approach. Protests are already simmering, and the agitations are just getting started. The administration faces a tightrope: enforce hardline policies without sparking chaos, all while navigating a polarised nation.

Over time, the liberal Left has prioritised progressive values, sometimes at odds with what some see as America’s core interests. Their influence, through courts and policy, has reshaped how the Constitution is read. But with voters swinging Republican, priorities are shifting back. Trump’s base wants a return to a Preamble that puts citizens first, echoing the founders’ alleged intent—though that intent is debated, given the document’s flexibility.

So, where does this leave us? The immigration crisis isn’t just about numbers—it’s about who America is and who it’s for. Resolving it feels like chasing a mirage, but there are paths, none easy:

• Fix the System: Expand legal immigration channels while tightening enforcement. A citizenship path for the undocumented, paired with stronger borders, might bridge the gap. But Congress hasn’t pulled off comprehensive reform in decades—partisan gridlock is a beast.
• Find Middle Ground: Both sides have valid points. Liberals are right that immigrants fuel growth; conservatives are right that unchecked borders strain systems. A deal blending amnesty with security could work, but it needs leaders willing to compromise.

Prioritising American Workers

The Pew Research Center pegs the unauthorised immigrant population at about 11 million in 2022, stable but persistent. Border encounters are up, but deportations alone don’t solve the root causes. Historical attempts at reform, like the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, legalised millions but didn’t stop illegal crossings. Without bold action, the crisis could drag on, a permanent sore spot in America’s story.

America’s immigration saga is a mirror of its evolution—messy, contentious, and unfinished. The Preamble, with its soaring ideals, fuels both the push for inclusion and the pull for protection. Trump supporters see a nation under siege, fighting to reclaim a citizen-first vision. Liberals see a nation of promise, bound to embrace those who seek its shores. As the debate rages, one thing’s clear: America is still figuring itself out, just as it was when it declared independence. Whether the crisis ends depends on whether Americans can find common ground—or if they’ll continue to try to rule the streets to push their views, each side claiming to be the true “We the People.”