Immigration with Humanity

America’s strength comes from our diversity, our compassion, and our commitment to justice. Our immigration system should reflect these values—not fear, cruelty, or political gamesmanship. We need fair, functional immigration reform that recognizes the dignity of every person, strengthens our communities, and upholds the Constitution.

J. Gordon Mitchell believes in an immigration system rooted in humanity and common sense. That starts with a real path to citizenship for law-abiding immigrants who contribute to our economy and communities, an end to family separation, and the dismantling of abusive practices at the border. Federal agencies must be held accountable for their actions, ensuring that enforcement is humane, targeted, and effective—not arbitrary or abusive.

Unfortunately, Pete Sessions has championed harmful hardline policies that have made our neighborhoods less safe and our local economies more fragile. He has promoted aggressive ICE raids in local communities, targeting families and workers who have lived here for years, contributed to our economy, and raised their children as Americans.

These raids do not make us safer; instead, they spread fear, disrupt businesses, and tear families apart.

Sessions’ approach ignores the real contributions immigrants make and undermines the trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

ICE must be held accountable for violating laws, including the constitutional rights of American citizens and detainees. The right to habeas corpus is guaranteed by the Constitution, as is protection from warrantless searches and seizures—including unlawful entry into homes or businesses. Yet, under the Trump administration, which Pete Sessions has supported over 98% of the time, these fundamental freedoms have been trampled daily in the name of “enforcement.” Sessions stands with those who would continue this tyranny, rather than defend the rights and liberties of all Americans.

J. Gordon Mitchell will fight to protect not only our border, but also our fundamental freedoms. He will:

• Champion a path to citizenship for immigrants who have abided by the law, contributed to our economy, and built their lives here.
• End family separation and abusive border practices, ensuring that children are never used as bargaining chips and that asylum seekers are treated with dignity.
• Hold ICE and other federal agencies accountable for upholding the Constitution and respecting the rights of all people, citizens and non-citizens alike.
• Promote smart, evidence-based border security that targets real threats—like drug and human trafficking—while respecting human rights and due process.
• Invest in modernizing our immigration system to meet America’s long-term needs, fill critical labor gaps, and promote family stability

Immigration reform must be about people, not politics. J. Gordon Mitchell will always stand up for the values that make America great: fairness, compassion, and the rule of law. He will work to ensure that TX-17 and the nation have an immigration system that is just, effective, and worthy of our highest ideals.