Suppose we drive past a vehicle that has been pulled over and observe the driver being taken into custody by the police. All things being equal, we as Americans can be confident that law enforcement is acting in a just and upright manner. An arrest is not an exercise of arbitrary power but an expression of our just laws. And we ought to be grateful that in justly enforcing the law, often in difficult circumstances, our law enforcement officers help to keep our communities and nation safe.

But now suppose that those being arrested are a mother and daughter, and that both are illegal immigrants who happened to get pulled over while on their way to church. Can we still say that their arrest is a just enforcement of our laws and not an expression of arbitrary power? Can we say that their arrest and subsequent deportation will make our communities and nation safer? A number of considerations are urgent.

Law enforcement is a noble calling. Of course, an officer can abuse the authority and trust of badge and gun. But the fact that such cases appear as scandals, even national scandals, testifies to the high standard of professionalism upheld by the vast majority of police across........

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