Waving the Mexican flag at California protests only helps one man. Can you guess who? | Opinion

As people protest the Trump Administration’s immigration policies, the number of images in the media of people carrying flags from other countries has been surprising. The most commonly seen flag during these protests is the Mexican flag, while American flags are rarely spotted.

If these groups’ goals are simply to gather and express outrage at the president’s decisions, that’s great. However, since these rallies are outside and on public streets, the mere act of expressing outrage can be a futile exercise. The message can disappear as soon as the flags are put away.

The real goal should be to stoke a response from the electorate to join them in their outrage over the Trump administration’s immigration policies. That is not going to happen by waving the flags of other countries. It’s a misguided tactic at best, and most likely the result of a poor understanding of public sentiment on immigration policies.

Protesters may be trying to convince Americans who immigrated from other countries to join their cause. But, if that’s the case, they should instead be waving the American flag — denoting that they are proud of the U.S. and what it stands for.

No member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives has districts in El Salvador, Nicaragua or Mexico. The people who voted for them prefer the United States over those places.

Some will certainly argue that the U.S. flag represents historical racism and oppression. I understand that point, but the reality is that a majority of Americans support the deportation of people who are in the U.S. illegally. In a Pew Research Survey from earlier this month, about half of Americans — 47% — think that the Trump administration is doing “about the right amount” in regards to deportations. This is a good place for Trump to be politically.

Americans want their borders to be secure and want criminals deported. Almost every country wants that from their government.

In our current political climate, twisted rhetoric has whipped everyone into a frenzy. The reality is that President Donald Trump has deported fewer people than Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

That’s why immigration protesters are off course if they believe they are winning hearts and changing minds. The data does not support them, and neither do current politics or common sense.

Any protest or campaign must be about knowing your audience. If you want to preach to the choir, your sermon will always be well received. If you want to put people in the pews, the message may need to be refined to speak a compelling message to the doubters.

Immigration involves complicated legal issues that intersect with the U.S. Constitution, families, agricultural policy and the economy. The stakes are high, yet immigration protesters have done nothing but strengthen the hand of the president.

Mexican flags being waved on television is just driving voters into the arms of Trump. I am sure that was not the goal, but go ahead and use your First Amendment rights any way you want.

This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 6:00 AM.