A tragic story out of Illinois reminds us what happens when the government fails to protect its own citizens. Michael Clayton, a respected Coles County Board Member, and his wife, Gail, were killed in a car crash caused by someone who shouldn’t have been in this country in the first place. Edwin Pacheco-Meza, 34, was reportedly driving under the influence when he crashed, killing the Claytons. He’s not just accused of driving drunk—he’s also in this country illegally.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Pacheco-Meza had more than alcohol in his car. They found drugs, an open container, ammo, and an extended magazine. That’s not just reckless behavior. That’s criminal. And to make matters worse, the man riding with him, Juan Morales-Martinez, is also in the country illegally. He was arrested for drug possession and a weapons charge. This 18-year-old had only entered the U.S. in December 2023 and was released under Biden’s failed border policies.
Let’s be clear: this was preventable. If our borders were secure and our laws were enforced, Michael and Gail Clayton would be alive today. Instead, sanctuary policies in Illinois allowed these two illegal immigrants to stay in the community. When Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requested that the Clark County Jail hold them for pickup, officials refused because of Illinois’ so-called “sanctuary” status. That refusal gave criminals free rein in our streets.
Now, with President Trump back in office and leaders like Secretary Noem at Homeland Security, that’s changing. ICE and Border Patrol have been given the green light to do their jobs again. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin didn’t mince words. She said this tragedy was absolutely preventable and promised that those in the country illegally who break our laws will be found, arrested, and removed.
This is what happens when the rule of law is ignored. Pacheco-Meza had no legal right to be here. Morales-Martinez had no legal right to be here. And yet, under the previous administration, our borders were wide open. Now we are left mourning two innocent lives that should never have been lost.
As a veteran, I’ve spent my life defending this country and our values. That includes the right to safety and security in our own neighborhoods. The Claytons weren’t just citizens—they were public servants, neighbors, and family. Their deaths are a direct result of failed immigration enforcement and weak local leadership.
We need to get back to basics. That means enforcing immigration laws, ending sanctuary policies, and holding officials accountable when they refuse to cooperate with federal law enforcement. If you’re in this country illegally and you commit a crime, you don’t get a second chance. You get deported.
This tragedy should be a wake-up call for every American. We can’t afford to ignore the consequences of open borders and soft-on-crime policies. The Claytons deserved better. Every law-abiding American family deserves better.
And make no mistake—President Trump’s administration is already making moves to clean this mess up. ICE isn’t sitting on the sidelines anymore. The days of catch-and-release are over. If you’re in this country illegally and you think you can get away with breaking our laws, think again.
We owe it to the Claytons, and to every American family, to make sure this never happens again. That starts with securing the border, enforcing the law, and putting the safety of American citizens first. Always.
