Is anyone still seeking a reason to say “no” to four more years of Donald Trump? Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric may provide good fodder for reporters, but what would that look like if rhetoric became policy?
He has threatened to round up immigrants, place them in camps, and deport them. If he implements this threat, it will have far-reaching consequences, both domestically and internationally. Worse, he has had four years to plan and plot and may have figured out a way to do this legally.
Several legal scholars have opined that Trump’s plans are potentially lawful with limited legal barriers to stop him, especially if he and his Project 2025 cronies get to appoint more judges. In theory, he could invoke the ancient Alien Enemies Act of 1978. He could argue that illegal immigration is akin to an invasion and seek military assistance. As commander-in-chief, with immunity granted by his hand-picked Supreme Court majority, he might be willing to try. Would the military go along? Who knows? But what would this mean for America?
Has anyone in Trump land considered the consequences of such an action? And let’s not forget: Trump’s racist and hateful comments toward Springfield, Ohio’s Haitian population include the threat of mass deportation. But those people are here legally. Trying to deport legal immigrants would not be . . . well . . . legal. If he invoked the Alien Enemies Act and called in the military, how would this affect America?
What Would Trump's Mass Deportations Look Like?
Humanitarian Impact:
Civil Rights Violations: Mass deportations would likely result in widespread human rights abuses, particularly if people are detained without due process. Families would again be separated, with children being held in detention centers, evoking the earlier outcry from similar policies.
I wrote an award-winning novel, Betrayal at the Border, that recounts the trauma of mass deportation and family separation. The legal system is a wonderful safeguard to ensure due process, but who know what that will look like in a 2nd Trump administration with Project 2025 doing a hatchet job to our civil rights?
Psychological Trauma: Both immigrants and U.S. citizens, especially those from immigrant families, could face deep psychological trauma. The fear of being detained and deported could create a climate of terror in communities.
Economic Disruption:
Labor Force Reduction: MAGA Republicans refuse to admit this, but immigrants make up a significant portion of the workforce, particularly in sectors like agriculture, construction, and service industries. Mass deportation would disrupt these sectors, leading to labor shortages, higher food and product prices, and decreased productivity.
Consumer Impact: Immigrant communities contribute as consumers in local economies. Disrupting these populations could lead to a reduction in consumer spending, which would hurt businesses and local economies.
Actual Cost: How would Trump pay for this? ICE is funded by Congress. Current detention center funding is far below the levels contemplated by Trump’s plan. With less than 50,000 current beds, where will Trump detain these people before deportation proceedings are completed? What is their native countries refuse to take them back? If you’ve learned anything about Donald Trump, you must know he has not considered these things and has no appreciation for the enormity of the undertaking. That won’t stop him from trying, so expect mass chaos at the border for years to come.
Legal and Constitutional Issues:
Challenges to the Courts: Mass roundups and deportations will result in a flood of due process legal challenges, invoking habeas corpus and constitutional protections like the 4th and 5th Amendments. The system would be overwhelmed, and justice delayed is justice denied.
Civil Liberties Concerns: Donald Trump and Project 2025 are an existential threat because they plan to consolidate power in the Executive Branch buoyed by the immunity recently gifted to him by our rogue Supreme Court. An unchecked Trump would reduce freedoms, increase surveillance and other intrusions, and violate civil liberties . . . on steroids. Citizens and legal residents (like Haitians in Springfield) would be wrongfully detained, leading to more litigation and a breakdown in public trust in law enforcement and government agencies.
Social and Political Division:
Heightened Polarization: Could our political landscape become even more polarized? While some groups might support harsher immigration enforcement, most would see this as authoritarian and discriminatory, intensifying divisions within the country. Mass deportation would tear apart families, exacerbate labor shortages, and uproot people with deep ties to their communities, causing widespread resentment toward those responsible.
Civil Unrest: Policies this extreme would spark protest, civil disobedience, and unrest, as people resist the unjust and inhumane treatment of immigrants. Because Trump emboldens far right and xenophobic groups (remember January 6th?), racial and ethnic tensions will explode.
International Repercussions:
Global Condemnation: The international community is praying for a Harris victory. If Trump was elected and implemented these strategies and actions, the community of nations would condemn them as human rights violations. This would harm U.S. relations with key allies and undermine its global standing as a leader of democratic values and human rights.
Migration Crisis: The forced deportation of large numbers of people would create a humanitarian crisis in neighboring countries, particularly those unprepared to absorb a large influx of unexpected migrants.
National Identity and Moral Consequences:
Erosion of American Values: The U.S. is a nation of immigrants. Her infrastructure was built by immigrants. Trump’s selfish policies clash with our foundational ideals of freedom, opportunity, and refuge for those fleeing persecution. They would damage America's identity as a beacon of hope for immigrants.
Long-term Cultural Impact: Deporting large segments of our immigrant population would affect the cultural fabric of the U.S. in terms of diversity, creativity, and innovation. Mass deportations would fuel resentment among those left behind and those who believe in the American melting pot. These actions would further divide our citizens when healing is essential to repair the damage Trump has already done.
Political pundits want Vice-President Harris to release specifics about her policy initiatives, including immigration-related ones. Who cares about the specifics of her plan when her opponent’s is a disaster waiting to happen? Harris said she will sign the bipartisan border bill that Trump killed last January. The bill enables the activation of “Border Emergency Authority,” which would allow the deportation of migrants “who enter between ports of entry without permitting them to apply for asylum.” Border Emergency Authority would be triggered if border encounters reached a daily average of 4,000 over seven days and would become mandatory at higher levels.
The bill would create a higher bar for migrants to claim asylum during their initial screening interview and provide ICE with increased funds for detention beds. It also requires that Trump’s border wall be completed with funds already allocated for the construction (I guess Mexico won’t be paying for the wall, after all.) The bill would add more than 1500 new Customs and Border Protection personnel. Is this specific enough for you doubters? Does she sound like some left-wing socialist? The charge is more of the same tired, old Trumpian nonsense.
So, what would Trump's mass deportations look like?
The “us first” immigration policies espoused by Trump and his Project 2025 cronies will lead to immense humanitarian suffering, legal battles, severe economic harm (exploding the debt), and an identity crisis for the U.S. Our national and international relationships and reputation will be shattered. It is time for all Americans to step up and repudiate Trump’s racist, xenophobic policies.
We cannot go back.
Mark M. Bello is an attorney and author of the Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series and children’s social justice/safety picture books. He also hosts the popular bi-weekly podcast, Justice Counts (https://www.spreaker.com/show/justice-counts_1). Mark’s books may be found at all online booksellers and on his website, at https://www.markmbello.com.
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