In the weeks since the election, Tom Homan, the incoming border czar has alluded to a mass deportation effort of immigrants with criminal records, and those with final orders of removal, a far narrower set of people than the 15 million to 20 million.
In an interview with Dr. Phil McGraw Homan said “We are not planning to perform mass raids in immigrant enclaves.” He added, “This isn’t going to be neighborhood sweeps with military vehicles going through American cities. The emphasis now seems to be a targeted enforcement effort focused on criminals and those immigrants with final orders of removal that the government can easily reach. This rhetoric seems to reflect an understanding of the government logistics and funding restraints for a sweeping mass deportation and detention operation of 20 million not to mention the economic impact on the American economy. Roughly 1.3 million migrants have orders of deportation from an immigration court.
Some of the results of mass deportation expected to be seen are the economic, social an institutional effects from sudden disruption in populations, such as lost workers, closed businesses, empty apartments, smaller communities of worship and children without parents, not to mention the possibility of continued inflation and even higher food prices.
Indeed we have already witnessed the suffering of a family separation policy, concertina wire in Texas and a generation of young people failed by the promise of DACA.
For Americans, who feel mass deportations are too harsh a punishment should make their views known. They can extend compassion and generosity to community members who are affected. They can support legal and community-based efforts on behalf of immigrants. Also, institutions such as local governments, states, universities and faith communities should identify ways to become involved in helping migrants.
