What Is This Country Coming To
According to Meredith Lee Hill (2026), Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn) stated, “Muslims don’t belong in America.” Before the controversy involving Rep. Ogles, Randy Fine (R-Florida) had already gained attention for his own inflammatory remarks, including a social media post claiming that if forced to choose “between dogs and Muslims,” the choice “is not a difficult one.” Fine did not retract this comment and continued to promote policies such as banning Islamic immigration, with his rhetoric cited in media coverage of Ogles’ statements as part of a broader pattern among some Republicans. Similarly, Andrew Clyde (R-Georgia) posted messages calling for strict measures against Muslim immigration, writing, “No more Islamic immigration. Denaturalize, deport, repeat.” Although Clyde did not explicitly defend Ogles’s remarks, his comments conveyed the same anti-Muslim political framing highlighted in coverage of the controversy. News reports noted that few, if any, Republican lawmakers publicly criticized Ogles, while Democrats immediately condemned the statement. The absence of internal criticism from Republicans became part of the controversy surrounding the remarks KPTS (2026).
Undocumented immigrants, especially those recently encountered after unauthorized border crossings, continue to be the highest-risk group for removal under U.S. immigration enforcement priorities. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) keep enforcing expedited removal processes targeting recent arrivals without legal status, and interior enforcement remains strong as border apprehensions shift focus. Federal data and analyses show that internal deportations and removals have been significant, with recent estimates indicating tens of thousands of removals from U.S. communities and a rise in interior enforcement, although official statistics are still delayed or incomplete.
Noncitizens, including lawful permanent residents (green card holders), with specific criminal convictions are prioritized for enforcement and may face removal even years after completing their sentences. Immigration law considers certain convictions deportable offenses regardless of subsequent rehabilitation or time served. (Immigration and Nationality Act provisions)
People from countries where Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or similar humanitarian protections have ended or been reduced also face a higher risk of removal. TPS designations grant temporary legal status and work authorization to nationals from countries experiencing armed conflict, disasters, or extraordinary conditions. However, recent policy changes have revoked some of these protections: the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of TPS for Haiti, effective September 2, 2025, after determining that the conditions no longer meet statutory requirements, impacting hundreds of thousands who must find alternative lawful status or leave the U.S. TPS for Venezuela, designated in 2021, was also ended, effective September 10, 2025, following a statutory review of conditions in Venezuela, including a required Federal Register notice and related steps for implementation. Other TPS designations, including those for Yemen, Afghanistan, Honduras, and several other countries, have also been scheduled to terminate or expire during this period, although they remain subject to legal challenges and ongoing DHS review.
These enforcement trends are reflected in removal numbers through 2024 and 2025: ICE reported removing about 27,100 noncitizens in FY 2024, a level at or near the highest since the mid-2010s, and independent analyses suggest removal activity remained strong into FY 2025, with estimates of several hundred thousand deportations by mid-year. However, exact figures vary by source and method, partly because of changes in how removals and voluntary departures (such as self-deportation via mobile apps) are counted across agencies and reporting periods. France sent the Statue of Liberty to the United States in 1885, and it was officially dedicated on October 28, 1886.
The statue, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel, was a gift from France to the U.S. to celebrate the 100th anniversary of American independence (1776–1876) and to honor the friendship between the two nations. It also represented liberty, democracy, and the end of slavery, reflecting shared values of freedom and republican ideals.
Following is a concise summary of the main symbolism in the Statue of Liberty’s design:
The Statue of Liberty features symbolic elements that convey messages of freedom and hope. Its torch represents enlightenment, guiding people toward liberty and independence, while the crown with seven rays symbolizes the seven seas and seven continents, signifying universal freedom. At her feet, broken chains show the end of oppression and tyranny. The tablet she holds is inscribed with “JULY IV MDCCLXXVI” (July 4, 1776), commemorating the American Declaration of Independence. The statue’s robed figure is inspired by Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, embodying the enduring spirit of liberty.
It's a shame that our country is neglecting what our forefathers established to ensure equality for all of us. When we realize that our nation was built by immigrants throughout history, we should feel ashamed of how it has often mistreated those who are not white men, starting with the displacement and mistreatment of Native Americans and the long fight for women's rights and representation. These patterns remind us that the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice written into our founding documents have not always been upheld equally. Recognizing this history should not divide us; instead, it should prompt reflection and inspire ongoing efforts to create a society that truly embodies those principles for everyone.
