
The US Constitution does not expressly mention undocumented immigrants, but it does offer them some protection. While the US government has an obligation to uphold the human rights of everyone within its borders, including undocumented immigrants, the Supreme Court has recognised the right to live with one's family as a fundamental right protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. This means that the government cannot take away this right without going through a legal process and providing a justification. Furthermore, many parts of the Constitution use the term 'people' or 'person' rather than 'citizen', meaning that laws such as freedom of religion and speech, the right to due process and equal protection under the law apply to citizens and noncitizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Right to be informed of charges against them | Guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution |
| Right to an attorney | Guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution |
| Right to present evidence in their defence | Guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution |
| Right to live with one's family | Recognised as a fundamental human right by multiple international treaties and declarations, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights |
| Right to freedom of religion and speech | Guaranteed by the Constitution |
| Right to due process | Guaranteed by the Constitution |
| Right to equal protection under the law | Guaranteed by the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn

The right to live with one's family
While the US Constitution does not expressly guarantee the right to live with one's family, the Supreme Court has recognised it as a fundamental right protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. This means that the government cannot take away this right without going through a legal process and providing a compelling justification.
The US Constitution does not specifically mention undocumented immigrants, but they are still protected by its principles. The US government has an obligation to uphold the human rights of everyone within its borders, including undocumented immigrants. Many parts of the Constitution use the term "people" or "person" rather than "citizen", and these laws apply to everyone physically on US soil, whether or not they are a citizen. As a result, many basic rights, such as the freedom of religion and speech, the right to due process and equal protection under the law, apply to citizens and noncitizens.
Undocumented immigrants have the right to be informed of the charges against them, the right to an attorney, and the right to present evidence in their defence. These rights are guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution.
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The right to due process
While undocumented immigrants are not specifically mentioned in the US Constitution, they are still protected by its principles. The US government has an obligation to uphold the human rights of everyone within its borders, including undocumented immigrants.
The Supreme Court has recognised the right to live with one's family as a fundamental right protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. This means that the government cannot take away this right without going through a legal process and providing a compelling justification.
Many parts of the Constitution use the term "people" or "person" rather than "citizen". These laws apply to everyone physically on US soil, whether or not they are a citizen. As a result, the right to due process applies to citizens and noncitizens alike.
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The right to an attorney
While the US Constitution does not specifically mention undocumented immigrants, it does protect their rights. The US government has an obligation to uphold the human rights of everyone within its borders.
Undocumented immigrants have the right to be informed of the charges against them, the right to an attorney, and the right to present evidence in their defence. This is guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution.
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The right to present evidence in their defence
While undocumented immigrants are not specifically mentioned in the US Constitution, they are still protected by its principles. The US government has an obligation to uphold the human rights of everyone within its borders, including undocumented immigrants.
The right to present evidence in one's defence is guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution. This means that illegal immigrants have the right to be informed of the charges against them, the right to an attorney, and the right to present evidence in their defence.
The Supreme Court has recognised the right to live with one's family as a fundamental human right protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. This means that the government cannot take away this right without going through a legal process and providing a compelling justification.
Many parts of the Constitution use the terms "people" or "person" rather than "citizen". These laws apply to everyone physically on US soil, whether or not they are a citizen. As a result, many basic rights, such as freedom of religion and speech, the right to due process and equal protection under the law, apply to citizens and noncitizens alike.
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The right to freedom of religion and speech
While the US Constitution does not specifically mention undocumented immigrants, it does protect their rights. The US government has an obligation to uphold the human rights of everyone within its borders, including undocumented immigrants.
The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution guarantee undocumented immigrants the right to be informed of the charges against them, the right to an attorney, and the right to present evidence in their defence. The Supreme Court has also recognised the right to live with one's family as a fundamental right protected by the Due Process Clause of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. This means that the government cannot take away this right without going through a legal process and providing a compelling justification.
Many parts of the Constitution use the terms "people" or "person" rather than "citizen". As a result, many of the basic rights, such as the freedom of religion and speech, the right to due process and equal protection under the law, apply to citizens and noncitizens alike. The right to freedom of religion and speech is protected by the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion, and guarantees the right to free speech.
Undocumented immigrants are entitled to these rights, regardless of their immigration status. The US Constitution applies to undocumented immigrants because they are physically present in the United States, and the Constitution protects the rights of all people within its jurisdiction.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, illegal immigrants are protected by the US Constitution. While the Constitution does not specifically mention undocumented immigrants, it uses the terms 'people' and 'person' rather than 'citizen'. This means that many of the basic rights, such as freedom of religion and speech, the right to due process and equal protection under the law, apply to citizens and noncitizens.
Illegal immigrants have the right to be informed of the charges against them, the right to an attorney, and the right to present evidence in their defence. The right to live with one's family is also recognised as a fundamental human right by multiple international treaties and declarations, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Yes, due process is the legal principle that ensures that everyone is given a fair and impartial hearing before the government takes away their life, liberty, or property. This right is guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution.

























