The Supreme Court decision on Sep. 8 giving ICE more power is not just troubling – by allowing racial profiling to be used as a tool for immigration enforcement, the Court has endorsed a practice that goes against everything fairness and justice are supposed to stand for. This is more than a legal ruling. It is a message about who belongs in this country and who will always be treated with suspicion.

I have seen how this ruling hits people like me hard. Many of us work tirelessly to build a future here. We go to school, contribute to our communities, and try to belong in a place that often feels like it does not want us. 

But this decision tells me that no matter how much we give, no matter how hard we work, some families will still be judged by how they look, how they sound, or what their names are. That is discrimination.

Racial profiling has caused real harm for a long time. It shows up in everyday situations. During traffic stops, in neighborhoods, or just walking down the street, people are treated with suspicion simply because of their appearances.

These moments are not rare. It has become a pattern where communities of color are targeted.  This creates fear, distrust, and a constant feeling of being watched or judged for something you have no control over.

The impact goes far beyond a single encounter with law enforcement. For students like me who are first generation or immigrants, this ruling adds a heavy weight on our shoulders. It is hard to focus on school or think about the future when you worry that your family could be torn apart at any moment.

This ruling makes life harder for people who are already treated unfairly. It adds fear to families who just want to live, work, and study in peace. Parents worry about leaving for work and not coming home. Children worry about whether their families will be there after school. Instead of protecting communities, the ruling creates stress and uncertainty in daily life.

This also changes how people move through the world. Driving to school, going to the store, or walking across campus can suddenly feel risky. When the law allows racial profiling, everyday routines carry the fear of being singled out for appearance alone. That constant pressure wears people down and makes it harder to focus on school, jobs, and building a future.

This is not only about immigration. It is about whether people can feel safe in the places where they live and study. Everyone deserves to walk into a classroom or a workplace without carrying that kind of fear and feel like they belong in the country they call home. This ruling gave ICE more power through profiling and made the sense of belonging even harder to hold onto. 

This is not something we should accept quietly. It is devastating to live in a country where your identity is treated as a crime. Racial profiling strips people of dignity, and no ruling can ever justify it. 

This decision may have given ICE more power, but it should also make us stronger. Our stories matter, our feelings matter, and our voices matter. If we do not question this ruling, we accept a future where fairness is something only some people get to have. That is not a future I want for myself, for my family, or for anyone who calls this country home.