Episode 4

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Published on:

15th Apr 2025

Deporting Citizens: The New Line This Administration Is Willing to Cross

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If this concerns you, take action with those in this situation showing courage. Here's how you can make sure your elected officials and the public hear from you — and can't say they didn't know. 

📧 Email Template 

Subject: This Is a Constitutional Crisis—You Must Act Now

I am writing to express my deep alarm at the administration’s proposal to deport American citizens to El Salvador, and its outright defiance of a Supreme Court order in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. This is not just another policy dispute. It is a constitutional crisis—one that demands immediate action from every member of Congress.

Deporting U.S. citizens is not only illegal—it is a betrayal of the Fourteenth Amendment and the foundational principle that citizenship is protected by law, not political whim. Sending citizens to a foreign prison known for torture, indefinite detention, and denial of due process strips away every constitutional protection guaranteed by the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments. This is not justice—it is state-sponsored exile.

Equally dangerous is the administration’s refusal to comply with the authority of the Supreme Court. If one branch of government can ignore the rulings of another, then our system of checks and balances has already failed. This is how democracies fall—not with a single act, but with the normalization of unlawful power.

Your response matters. Your voice matters. Silence or delay will be interpreted—by the public and by history—as permission. I am demanding that you publicly denounce this proposal, call for accountability, and do everything in your power to prevent the illegal removal of American citizens from U.S. soil. Uphold your oath. Defend the Constitution. The nation is watching, and I will be among those holding you accountable for what you choose to do in this moment.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

☎️ Phone Script

Hi, my name is [Your Full Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City, State].

I’m calling because I am outraged by the administration’s proposal to deport American citizens to El Salvador, and their refusal to comply with a Supreme Court order in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. This is not just illegal—it is a constitutional crisis.

Deporting citizens violates the Fourteenth Amendment. Ignoring a court order shatters the checks and balances that hold our democracy together. If Congress doesn’t act, it sends a message that these abuses are acceptable.

I want to know what [Representative/Senator ___] is doing to respond. Silence right now is complicity.

Please make sure my message is passed on. I expect to see action and a public response. Thank you.

📣 Sample Social Media Post 

 🚨 The President just proposed deporting American citizens to foreign prisons—and defied a Supreme Court order. This isn’t tough-on-crime. It’s a constitutional crisis. If Congress stays silent, they’re complicit. #DefendDemocracy #ConstitutionalCrisis #DeportingCitizens

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About the Podcast

Bigger Than Me Democracy Project
Where headlines meet history—and we stand united.
Bigger Than Me is a rapid-response audio blog from the Bigger Than Me Democracy Project.

Hosted by Bonnie Ross, this blog helps listeners make sense of the moments that don’t just make news — they challenge democratic norms. Each episode breaks down what happened, why it matters, and how it fits into the authoritarian playbook described in On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder.

Here are the 20 lessons we return to again and again:
1. Do not obey in advance.
Authoritarianism thrives when people preemptively conform. Refuse to teach power what it can get away with.

2. Defend institutions.
Institutions don’t protect themselves. Pick one you care about — a court, a library, a newsroom — and take its side.

3. Beware the one-party state.
Support multiparty democracy and fair elections while you still can. Vote in every election. Consider running for office.

4. Take responsibility for the face of the world.
Symbols matter. Hate spreads when we get used to seeing it. Don’t look away. Don’t let it stand.

5. Remember professional ethics.
When leaders set bad examples, ethical commitments matter more. Rule of law needs defenders in every field.

6. Be wary of paramilitaries.
When the men with guns claim to protect the nation, watch who they march with. The merging of unofficial militias and official forces signals real danger.

7. Be reflective if you must be armed.
If you serve in uniform, be ready to say no when something isn't right.

8. Stand out.
The moment you do, others will follow. Nothing breaks the spell of the status quo like someone brave enough to go first.

9. Be kind to our language.
Avoid political clichés and empty slogans. Speak clearly. Read deeply. Think for yourself.

10. Believe in truth.
If nothing is true, power wins. Reality matters. Truth is the foundation of freedom.

11. Investigate.
Don’t just consume headlines. Subscribe to trustworthy journalism. Learn how propaganda works.

12. Make eye contact and small talk.
It’s more than polite — it’s civic glue. In times of fear and distrust, human connection is resistance.

13. Practice corporeal politics.
Get off the screen. Show up in person. Join others in physical, public acts of civic life.

14. Establish a private life.
Protect your digital life. Keep some conversations offline. Tyrants exploit what they learn about you.

15. Contribute to good causes.
Support organizations that reflect your values. Help sustain civil society with your time and money.

16. Learn from peers in other countries.
Authoritarianism is a global trend. Stay connected beyond borders. Have a passport. Use it.

17. Listen for dangerous words.
“Emergency.” “Terrorism.” “Extremism.” Authoritarians exploit these words to justify taking power.

18. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.
Crises are used to break democracy. Don’t trade freedom for false promises of safety.

19. Be a patriot.
Model the kind of America you want future generations to inherit.

20. Be as courageous as you can.
No one wants to be a hero. But if we’re not willing to risk for freedom, we all risk losing it.

About your host

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Bonnie Ross