The Trump that welcomes new citizens is the man trampling the Constitution | Opinion

Seated behind the Resolution Desk and attired in his trademark blue suit but opting for a blue over his usual red tie, President Donald Trump struck a positive video message for the newest U.S. citizens:

“Congratulations. Today, you receive one of the most priceless gifts ever granted by human hands. You become a citizen of the United States of America.”

The video message – clocking in at 1 minute, 43 seconds – will be played at naturalization ceremonies organized by the Citizenship and Immigration Services offices in Fresno, Sacramento and other cities. More than 1.6 million immigrants have become citizens in the last two fiscal years.

U.S. presidents have used their video messages to welcome a new segment of the population that will gain rights like voting, qualifying for certain federal jobs and being able to bring relatives from overseas as legal U.S. residents.

The naturalization ceremony, whether done in small groups at CIS offices or large arenas, is a noteworthy moment in a person’s life. They didn’t become American by birth, but by choice. They studied American history, including the Constitution, and passed a civics test. They submitted to a background check. They paid up to $760 for the application ($710 if done online). Then there was the final interview.

That makes the message from the leader of the free world special. Trump didn’t disappoint.

“No matter where you come from, you now share a home and the heritage with some of the most exceptional heroes, legends, and patriots to ever walk the face of the Earth,” he said. “All of the triumphs and glories of American history now belong to you.

“With this sacred honor comes the highest responsibility. As you know, the American way of life is unique in all the world, and as Americans, we must fiercely guard it and defend it.”

Nice. Too bad Trump can’t be this civil all the time.

Trump’s talk is not his walk

The very next day, Trump reverted to the Trump we have all come to hate – or love – when he said anybody who protests Saturday’s Washington, D.C. military parade will be met with “very big force.”

“And if there’s any protester that wants to come out, they will be met with very big force,” Trump said. “I haven’t even heard about a protest, but you know (there are) people that hate our country, but they will be met with very heavy force.”

Uh, did the president forget that the First Amendment protects a person’s right to free speech and protest? Any new U.S. citizen would know that.

Perhaps Trump does not want the parade, which falls on his 79th birthday, to be ruined by the all-American tradition of people speaking their minds on what they may see as a waste of $45 million to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.

There are many instances where Trump 2.0 has done harm to the immigrant community that he now welcomes into the fold of citizenship:

▪ In March, the Trump administration cut funding for lawyers working with unaccompanied immigrant children. Last month, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction to restore the federal aid.

▪ In April, Trump’s Department of Homeland Security stripped funds for organizations that helped legal immigrants become U.S. citizens, saying that their work “no longer fits with the (department’s) goals under Trump.”

▪ In March, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services suspended processing some green card applications to do more vetting of applicants.

Such actions are not those of an administration that welcomes immigrants and their contributions to America.

For decades, there has been a process by which immigrants qualify to enter this country and obtain a green card (about 12.8 million currently). After five years, or three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen, you can apply for naturalization.

The Trump who is doing everything to obstruct that process is not the same man in the video message to new citizens. That is a shame.

We suggest the president take the civics quiz. One possible question: What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? (Answer: checks and balances, and separation of powers).