The Fear of a Missing Wallet: A Reflection on Immigrant Rights and Due Process

By Dr. Andrea Ortega

This morning, I left my wallet at home.

I have lived in the United States for most of my life, having migrated here at eight years old. I am fortunate to be a naturalized citizen. Yet, never have I felt the kind of fear that gripped me today because of a simple mistake: leaving my wallet behind.

I was driving to the Farmworkers Association of Florida, an organization I have supported for years. Yesica, the General Coordinator, leads this group, advocating for over 14,000 farmworker members across Florida. These workers are the backbone of our food supply. They sustain entire supply chains and show up every day, often unseen and unprotected.

As I drove, I suddenly realized my ID was in the diaper bag I had taken out of the car earlier that morning to make room for my kids. We had missed the bus, and in the chaos, I forgot my wallet.

That’s it. Just a missing wallet.

And suddenly, my mind spiraled. What if there’s a surprise raid? What if I get caught up in it? What if I become one of the many U.S. citizens who have been wrongfully detained or arrested because due process is no longer guaranteed?

I thought about what would happen if I were stopped. I know my rights. I would ask for a warrant. I would demand due process. I would insist on being treated as a human being, not just a number on someone’s quota. And I know that could get me in trouble.

Then came the most sobering thought of all:

The fear I felt today is not even a tenth of what immigrants in this country live with every single day.

“Legal” vs. “Illegal” Is a Moral Cop-Out

Right now, many Americans justify immoral actions by hiding behind the terms "legal" and "illegal." But those words do not erase the reality that human beings—workers, parents, caregivers, children, and community leaders—are being detained, deported, and disappeared from their lives without due process.

We cannot keep listening only to media soundbites. We need to listen to the people on the ground.

Due Process Is Not Optional. It Is Foundational.

The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is clear:

“No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”

Not citizen. Person.

The Fourteenth Amendment reinforces this:

“Nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”

Due process is not a privilege. It is not a reward. It is not conditional on birthplace, accent, or paperwork.

Due process is the baseline of what makes America great.

Church, State, and the Weaponization of Faith

I say this as someone who has stepped away from the church in recent years, but who was raised Catholic.

If your politics require you to forget the humanity of others, then you have abandoned the core message you claim to defend.

Jesus did not ask for papers. He did not ask for status. He did not sort people by legality. He centered the human first.

The Founders of our great nation, many of whom explicitly warned against the merging of religious authority and government power, understood this danger deeply. Thomas Jefferson wrote of the Constitution’s intent to build:

“A wall of separation between Church & State.”

When the state claims divine justification, accountability disappears.

One of my favorite movies is National Treasure, yes, the Nicolas Cage movie, where the Declaration of Independence is read aloud:

People don’t talk like that anymore. But that doesn’t make the words obsolete. It makes our failure to live up to them undeniable.

Nationalism that demands silence, obedience, and fear is not patriotism. It is erosion. And what we are eroding right now is not just policy but the soul of this country.

I Refuse to Look Away

You can keep turning a blind eye. You can keep justifying. You can keep saying “this doesn’t affect me.” But it does. It already has.

Because today, all it took was a missing wallet for me to feel something I never thought I would feel in the United States of America.

And that should terrify all of us.

The Impact of Fear on Communities

Fear is a powerful emotion. It can paralyze us, making us feel helpless. For many immigrants, this fear is a daily reality. It affects their ability to work, to care for their families, and to participate in their communities.

Understanding the Roots of Fear

The roots of this fear are deep. They stem from policies that prioritize enforcement over humanity. They arise from a system that often views immigrants as threats rather than contributors.

Building a Supportive Environment

We must create an environment where everyone feels safe. This means advocating for fair policies and standing up against unjust practices. It means supporting organizations that work tirelessly to protect the rights of all individuals.

The Role of Advocacy

Advocacy is crucial. It helps amplify the voices of those who are often silenced. By standing together, we can challenge the status quo and push for change.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Let’s not be passive observers. Instead, let’s be active participants in shaping a more just society. We can start by educating ourselves and others about the issues at hand. We can support local organizations that are making a difference.

Together, we can build a future where fear does not dictate our lives. Together, we can ensure that due process is a right enjoyed by all.

Sources & References

• U.S. Constitution, Fifth Amendment

• U.S. Constitution, Fourteenth Amendment

• Thomas Jefferson, letter to the Danbury Baptist Association (1802)

• Declaration of Independence (1776)

• Farmworkers Association of Florida – grassroots reporting and member advocacy