Analysis
While protecting citizens is a primary function of any government, U.S. law also mandates protection of non‑citizens, including undocumented immigrants, under the Constitution and Supreme Court rulings. The government is obligated to enforce immigration laws, but it cannot deny basic rights or protection to illegal aliens. Therefore, stating the first duty is solely to protect citizens and not illegal aliens is misleading.
Background
The U.S. Constitution's Due Process and Equal Protection clauses apply to "any person" within the United States, and Supreme Court decisions such as Plyler v. Doe (1982) affirm that states cannot deny public benefits like education to undocumented children. Additionally, federal law requires humane treatment of detainees and prohibits discrimination based on immigration status.
Verdict summary
The claim omits the government’s legal obligations to protect all persons on U.S. soil, not just citizens.