The case was notable in part because the city of Southaven had previously argued that Lopez had no civil rights to violate because the Mexican man was living in the United States illegally and faced deportation orders and criminal charges for illegally possessing guns.
A judge rejected that argument in 2020, finding constitutional rights apply to “all persons.”
Because, you know, that’s what the Constitution says.
I’m European and even I know that the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights applies to EVERYONE in U.S. territory, independently of being citizens or not.
If it didn’t, no-one overseas would even imagine a vacation to America, where they’d have no rights.
It can’t be surprising most Americans have never read the Constitution, let alone it’s applying to everyone in the country, citizen or not.
But, I’m American, where personal ignorance is something to be prideful of.
In theory, yes.
In practice: depends where the court is, who the judge is, who the DA is, who’s in the police department that arrested you, and - most importantly - the color of your skin. Also, sometimes, which imaginary friend you believe in, and which side you voted for in the last election.