In a very dramatic step, US President-elect Donald Trump confirmed that his administration will declare a national emergency and use military resources for a mass deportation program. It seems part of his promise to reverse what he would call the “Biden invasion” to secure the US border.
A right-wing commentator blogged about reports of his plan, and Trump responded with a simple word, “True!”. Given that the news has stirred significant debate over the real practicalities and consequences of such a drastic move, it didn’t take long before Tom Homan, Trump’s suggested border czar, lit the fire too. He cautioned Democratic governors, most particularly from states like California, Illinois, and Massachusetts, to “get the hell out of our way” if they are planning to resist his mass deportation agenda.
Homan was concise about his intentions. He promised that the Trump administration would prioritize public safety and national security, first by deporting 425,000 illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds. His case is based on the rationale that the deportees have to make way for “deserving” immigrants who have been waiting patiently for their opportunity to enter the United States legally. Homan also shared his opinions on the status quo of border enforcement as he disapproved of how illegal immigrants were handled by the authorities as if they were just tourists and not people breaking immigration laws.
But Trump’s plan extends far beyond criminalized immigrants. Homan reportedly targeted a million undocumented aliens who have entered the U.S. He said that this kind of immigrant would be processed through due process in a court of law. If they are ascertained to have entered the U.S. illegally, then they would be sent back to their respective countries. He assured legal immigrants that they were safe with the new administration.
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I confess that for Trump supporters, this is some form of recapture of control of the U.S. border and protection of American jobs but it is fraught with serious challenges and consequences.
Potential Consequences of Mass Deportation
The first impact is the economic impact. Deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants is no walk in the park. Critics believe that mass deportation will cause radical disruptions to many industries that rely on the labor power of immigrants. These are most likely to be the agricultural, construction, and hospitality sectors. According to reports by the American Immigration Council, taking out a major percentage of the workforce means “higher prices for goods and services, grocery store items and construction projects would skyrocket.”.
The AIC predicts that the U.S. economy will lose 4.2 to 6.8% of its GDP. That’s an enormous loss to the already ailing economy. More importantly, undocumented immigrants currently pay billions of dollars in taxes, social security, and Medicare, and the loss of these workers in the system would significantly contribute towards a reduction in tax revenues to the U.S. government.
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Second, is the human cost. It’s not only an economic hit; we have to look at the emotional and social costs as well. More than 5.1 million U.S. children are living with an undocumented family member, and for a tremendous amount of them, deportation would sever them from their parents, inducing extreme psychological and financial stress. This is the humanitarian aspect that cannot be ignored.
Another point is that it would cost astronomical sums, estimated at anywhere from $300 billion to $1 trillion. Just this figure would be enough to raise doubts about the practicability of this rather bold agenda. Would the government be able to source this kind of operation? What then would happen to the millions of people who depend on these immigrants for services and employment?
Will Trump’s Plan Work?
Considering the current situation regarding U.S. immigration and public opinion, I believe that Trump’s deportation plan is extremely controversial and poses significant legal as well as practical challenges. Moving millions of people back into their countries, who have been staying there for years or even decades, should often attract street protests and pose legal challenges. And as we’ve seen in past efforts, enforcing such a plan may be much easier said than done.
In addition, while Trump’s plan may have been a key part of his appeal during his presidential campaign, I’m not entirely convinced that the long-term effects of such a move would be positive. While it’s clear that Trump is attempting to appeal to a strong base of supporters who want tougher immigration policies, the backlash from both Democrats and certain sectors of the economy will likely complicate the situation.
Trump’s Patriotic Vision
One thing I will say is that I believe that Trump is a patriotic individual, and his wish to safeguard American workers and citizens comes from the heart. He goes directly to immigration as something he believes in, based on his insight into the need to secure U.S. values and preserve jobs for legitimate citizens. However, I do believe that this plan might not be precisely what he envisioned it to be, particularly in light of the effect of the economic consequences and how it will affect families.
In the next few years, the United States of America might change in ways that are beyond our imagination, but whether or not that will change the good or the bad depends on the country’s disposition towards such issues as immigration, national security, and economic stability. We might see an America entirely different from before, but only time can tell whether such change will bring positive effects or dire challenges to the nation.
Your Thoughts
I mean, this is a massive issue, and I want to hear what you think. Think that Trump’s plan will work? Or do you believe it is going to blow in his face? Talk about the economic and human costs, which could be caused. Sound off in the comment section below I want to hear every perspective! You can also follow us on social media for regular updates on US Politics and some memes of course.
Minutes by M31GlobalNews
