Across cities in California, we have witnessed something deeply disturbing: American citizens, many of Mexican descent, setting fire to vehicles, waving foreign flags, and claiming to protest “injustice.” But let’s call it what it really is — an orchestrated campaign of disrespect, disorder, and destruction. This isn’t civil disobedience. It’s lawlessness masquerading as activism.
These protestors — many of whom were born in the U.S., speak little Spanish and have visited Mexico only a handful of times if at all — are now using the Mexican flag to fuel their rage. As someone proud of my Mexican heritage and deeply patriotic about my American identity, I find it offensive on both fronts. You do not honor either country by burning down communities and waving a flag you barely understand.
Even Mexico’s own president has extended an open invitation for these individuals who apparently despise America so much to return. Yet they refuse. They shout “¡Viva México!” in the streets of America while rejecting the very idea of living in the country they claim to love. That’s not patriotism — it’s performance.
It would be absurd to go to Mexico, riot in the streets, and wave the American flag in protest. It would be seen as disrespectful, and rightfully so. The same principle applies here. If you truly respect your roots, you honor both countries. You don’t burn one down while pretending to praise the other.
This is not about peaceful protest or the right to speak freely. This is about people—some of whom are in this country illegally—tearing apart our cities and then hiding behind identity politics to escape consequences. If you’re here illegally, what exactly are you protesting? The laws you broke? The country that gave you opportunity?
President Trump is doing what any responsible leader would: enforcing the laws already on the books. He hasn’t created any sweeping new immigration policy — he’s simply making sure existing laws are applied fairly and firmly. Yet the Democratic Party is treating this as political theater, using chaos to raise money and gin up outrage. It’s all grandstanding, and it will fail.
Let’s be clear: California is not representative of America or the Hispanic community. The culture there, particularly among certain activist circles, is fundamentally different from what we live and breathe in South Texas. I come from a community that respects both its heritage and this country. Many of our migrants are newer, more grateful, and eager to work. In California, what we’re seeing is the product of years of indoctrination — people raised to believe that loving America is somehow shameful.
We cannot allow rogue states and sanctuary cities to trample the rule of law. This is precisely why Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act must be passed by Congress immediately. Too many Americans, especially in working-class neighborhoods, pay the price when things spiral out of control. It is their cars that are set on fire, their businesses that are looted, their communities that are shattered.
The Democratic Party doesn’t want you to see this clearly. They deliberately blur the line between legal and illegal immigrants so they can demean Republicans as “anti-immigrant” or “xenophobic.” For purposes of political theater, they want to lump us all together so that criminals and patriots alike share the same label. But let me tell you something: I came here legally. My great-grandfather was even born in Texas. I am an American, and my family has deep roots in this country. Like millions of others, we are not the problem.
The overwhelming majority of immigrants come here to work, contribute, and live in peace. But thanks to the Democrats’ relentless pandering and political manipulation, even those of us who follow the law are constantly vilified. The actions of a few radicals now tarnish entire communities.
We have to build a generation that loves this country again. If we can’t even inspire native-born citizens to respect our flag and our freedoms, how can we expect new arrivals to do so? In fact, many Mexicans show more patriotism than some of our own people. That should concern all of us.
This isn’t about hate. It’s about accountability. If you commit crimes on American soil—whether you’re a citizen or not—you should face consequences. If you’re here illegally and riot in our streets, not only should you be deported for entering illegally, but you should be banned from ever returning. If you’re an American, burning cars and waving a foreign flag to mock our values, you deserve to be arrested and prosecuted.
We are a nation of immigrants, yes — but more importantly, we are a nation of laws. And if we want to preserve that nation for future generations, we must stand up now and demand accountability — for America, for the flag, for all of us.
Myra Flores, a Republican, represents Texas’s 34th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
