The dehumanization of immigrants by Republican politicians has become so common that it often goes unnoticed. Politicians, law enforcement, and media figures frequently use animalistic language when discussing immigrants. In fact, many people talk about their pets more humanely than they do about immigrants. Every time Donald Trump or his ally, J.D. Vance, speaks, I expect them to say something harmful about immigrants. Their words often incite violence while allowing them to deny responsibility if such violence occurs. The media amplifies their hateful rhetoric.
While their words are upsetting and endanger people I care about, I understand their motives. Trump, Vance, Fox News, and others know that their path to political power lies in instilling fear in white Americans. Many scared white voters, struggling to adapt to a changing world, turn to the Republican Party.
However, I struggle to understand why Republican judges also dehumanize immigrants. They do not rely on public fear for their positions. Yet, many Republican judges go beyond ruling against immigrants’ rights; they deny their humanity. It seems for these judges, cruelty is the goal.
This context brings me to a recent decision by Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump-appointed district judge on the D.C. Circuit. McFadden allowed a lawsuit that claims the Biden administration’s border policies harmed the environment, violating the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The lawsuit involves two Arizona ranchers who argue that the Biden administration’s reversal of Trump-era policies led to an influx of immigrants onto their land, causing environmental damage. McFadden ruled that Biden did not adequately consider environmental impacts when he decided not to continue building the border wall.
Initially, I thought McFadden was merely trying to “own the libs.” However, his decision crossed into troubling territory. He focused on the alleged harm suffered by one plaintiff, Steven Smith. To have the right to sue, Smith had to show he was wronged. McFadden determined that Smith had standing because immigrants left trash on his property that his cattle ingested. This absurdly suggests we need a 2,000-mile wall to prevent littering.
But McFadden’s reasoning went further. He argued that Smith faced a more significant issue: thirsty cows. Smith testified that water is scarce on his land, estimating that ranchers provide water at a “hundred-to-one” ratio compared to natural sources. He claimed that migrants often tamper with water troughs, causing water to flow freely. This helps the migrants but depletes Smith’s water supply, forcing him to work hard to care for his cattle. He argued that this stress affects their ability to reproduce.
If you do not see immigrants as people, it is easy to view them as mere “thirsty trespassers.” However, if you recognize that these individuals often cross a desert with their families, including children, McFadden’s view that ranchers and their cows are the true victims is disturbing. The anti-immigrant rhetoric has become so extreme that it pits the water rights of humans against those of cows, with cows unfairly prioritized.
This case is not merely about water rights in the desert. McFadden’s opinion reveals that the real environmental harm is caused by cattle, which require significantly more water than the immigrants. In a reasonable society, if there isn’t enough water for everyone, cattle should be the first to go.
Fortunately, it is unlikely that this case will succeed in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is currently controlled by Democrats. However, the Supreme Court may take it up, potentially allowing McFadden’s arguments and the anti-immigration rhetoric to resurface.
Desperate immigrants seeking water are not an environmental issue; they represent a moral issue. How we respond to their needs reflects our humanity. Trump, his supporters, and his judges have failed that test.
Related topics:
- Meng Secures $850,000 to Enhance Immigrant Services for South Asian Community in Queens
- How the Recent Surge in Immigrants is Driving Up Housing Costs
- Immigrants Boost Ohio’s Economy by Billions and Strengthen the Workforce
