May 7, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: Historical fact: the American Constitution is an agreement (a contract) between the citizen, the master, and the government, the servant.
The Constitution spells out the privileges and immunities of citizenship and the explicit and implied duties of the government.
Foreigners are not entitled to the privileges and immunities of citizens, so they are neither entitled to the rights, nor is the government obliged to supply services spelled out in the Constitution. Since foreign visitors are not a party to the contract, they are, therefore, not protected by civil rights, substantive and procedural due process, etc. Non-citizens are granted (but only on good behavior) courtesy, safe passage, and eventual return to their home countries at the end of their visa permit. On the other hand, persons who enter the United States without a visa are not entitled to any of the grants accorded to visa holders and should be apprehended, detained and swiftly deported. DON HENKE Goshen
