Aside from Stephen Miller, the true immigration policy of this administration remains unclear.
What is even more concerning is that, even among those with a clear vision regarding whom to deport, there appears to be no policy addressing what should happen afterward. Furthermore, in this forum, individuals who advocate for total deportation often avoid answering these questions and simply reiterate their stance by insisting on mass deportation.
Not sure if I am allowed to re-post a message, but here is what I posted in this tread in post #79.
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I have consistently stated that I do not support President Trump’s immigration policy. However, I accept the outcome of the election, as it is evident that a significant portion of Americans elected him largely due to his stance on immigration. Recognizing this mandate, I support President Trump in implementing these policies, despite my personal reservations.
Understanding President Trump’s Immigration Policy and Its Impact
During his campaign, President Trump committed to deporting individuals who entered or remained in the United States without legal authorization. Supporters at the GOP convention demonstrated backing for this approach with signs advocating “mass deportation.”
Current Policy Assessment
Is mass deportation an official policy of the Trump administration? Advisors such as Stephen Miller, along with other proponents of stringent immigration enforcement, support the removal of all undocumented immigrants.
President Trump’s own statements have varied; he has, at times, indicated that only those convicted of serious crimes should face deportation, while at other moments he has called for broader actions, including mass deportations, though he occasionally refers to hardworking undocumented immigrants in positive terms.
Major donors to the administration also express differing views—while generally supporting strict immigration measures, some advocate for exceptions in sectors such as agriculture, restaurants, and meat processing.
There are diverse perspectives among supporters of the administration's immigration strategy. Some endorse the deportation of all individuals present without legal status, whereas others believe enforcement should focus on those involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, or other serious offenses.
Practical Considerations
Presently, only approximately 0.59% of undocumented immigrants have been apprehended. At this pace, fewer than 6% are projected to be deported by the end of President Trump's term. It remains unclear whether the administration aims to remove only 5% to 7% of the undocumented population.
Economic Implications
Over four million undocumented immigrants are employed in the U.S. food industry, spanning roles in agriculture, meat processing, grocery stores, and restaurants. An additional one million work in construction. To date, there appears to be no comprehensive policy outlining how these positions would be filled, or how supply demands would be maintained, should these workers be removed.
While the Secretary of Agriculture has suggested technological solutions could replace agricultural labor, current advancements are limited to certain crops such as peanuts and corn; artificial intelligence technology capable of harvesting delicate produce like tomatoes or peaches is not expected for at least 15 years.
Thus, questions remain regarding potential plans or policies to substitute approximately ten million undocumented workers with American citizens. The removal of an estimated fifteen million individuals from the workforce would significantly impact both local and national economies. It is unclear what support mechanisms, if any, are planned for local economies dependent on immigrant labor, or how the national economy would adjust following such deportations.
Conclusion
Currently, there is no clear immigration policy. Even top officials cannot agree on who should be deported, how to define criminals, or the number of people to be deported in four years. Questions remain about who would replace these workers and the economic impact of removing 15 million people. The situation is chaotic: some advocate deporting all unauthorized residents, others only violent criminals, while critics call it a political show with no substantive solutions.
