Trump: The Deportation Era

Written by Sanjana Vijay

“The greatest nations are defined by how they treat their weakest inhabitants” 

Jorge Ramos

The re-emergence of the Trump administration ushers in an unprecedented future for America with Trump announcing his crackdown on undocumented migrants in the United States: with ten immigration related policies being revived mere hours after he officially took office. In the week following Trump’s taking of office, more than 7,300 individuals were deported as reported by the Department of Homeland Security in liaison with Immigration and Customs enforcement - as well as local and state authorities across the US.

The operations began on January 23rd, 2025 with a clear target in sanctuary cities such as Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Denver and Washington D.C. These major cities boast large immigration shelter systems and have policies on not cooperating with the federal government on immigration enforcement. In response, Trump has broadened the scope of expedited deportations which would allow federal officials to process the removal of migrants who fail to provide proof of asylum applications and if they have been in the US for less than two years.

However, as Trump’s plan takes way, several challenges arise. Mass deportations would require additional funding from Congress as ICE is already facing a lack of funding to maintain existing deportation levels. For example, while in transit, undocumented migrants have insufficient beds and shelter while in holding before being deported. International cooperation has been another thorn in the side with countries such as Mexico opposing the administration’s unilateral approach. For example, On January 24th, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum refused landing of  a US military aircraft carrying deportees. 

To keep his promise of deporting millions of undocumented migrants a year, Trump plans to invoke several legal policies such as the Alien Enemies Act (essentially allowing him to deport any male over 14 years old if hailing from a ‘foreign enemy country’) and the Insurrection Act which would allow the military to apprehend migrants. 

While Trump initially claimed deportations would begin with the removal of undocumented migrants with a criminal history, reports have indicated many of those deported have been individuals with no criminal records. The effects of these deportations are profound and tumultuous with families being separated as American-born children are left behind while their parents are deported - causing a legal limbo as the question of reuniting these children with their parents remains unsolved. 

The impact on families and immigrant communities is not the only issue as local and regional economies will suffer a ripple effect with many essential workers and consumers disappearing with a potential loss of labour in agricultural, construction and hospitality industries leading to significant disruptions and strains in the US economy. The long-term consequences of these actions on the United States and the countries receiving deportees remains uncertain yet the immediate human suffering is undeniable.