Large-Scale Deportations

LARGE-SCALE DEPORTATIONS

The Republican program for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants is fraught with problems. Consider the following: There were 11 million undocumented immigrants in 2022 (the latest estimate). More than 80% have been here more than 10 years, meaning they have roots in the US. More than 1 million Americans are married to an undocumented individual, and a large number of undocumented immigrants have children who are US citizens. Some localities in the US (for example, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and Philadelphia) have refused to collaborate with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) out of concern for racial profiling. Some immigrants come from nations with no diplomatic ties to the US and nations which refuse to take back their nationals. How could the US government design a program that could deal with such complexity?

The Republican program envisages use of the military and deputization of local law enforcement to carry out the deportations. Immigration courts would need massive expansion, as well as detention facilities. The cost of the Republican program would be many billions of dollars.

One can imagine a situation where immigration enforcers target an immigrant community and flood it with agents for a nighttime raid with men, women and children kicking and screaming. We would be reminded of Germany in the 30s and 40s. Is this what we want?

Source: The New York Times, 7/17/24