Reform, Don’t Deport: Fixing Immigration
Laws
Mass
Deportations Could Result in Severe Damage to U.S Economy
By Wahab Raofi
Donald
Trump has long been known for making outrageous statements, but what seemed
shocking in 2011, such as questioning Barack Obama’s birthplace, now feels
almost quaint compared to his rhetoric in 2024. Immigrants are no longer just
“criminals and rapists” in his words; they are now accused of “poisoning the
blood of our country.” Chants of “build the wall!” have been replaced with “send
them back!” In the MAGA world, legal immigrants from Haiti are even falsely said
to be eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, as noted in The Economist.
During his
current election campaign, Trump vowed to crack down on immigration,
echoing policies from his first term. He
proposes mass deportations of the approximately 11 million undocumented
immigrants currently residing in the United States, citing 2022 data from the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Alarmingly, his plans also target
immigrants living legally under Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
As an
immigrant who fled his homeland in the early 1980s due to the Russian invasion,
I deeply understand the pain of leaving one’s country behind because of war,
famine or other catastrophes. The drive to survive is a fundamental human
instinct. I can empathize with those willing to take incredible risks for a
chance at a better life. Had my asylum been denied, the thought of being forced
to return with a newborn child would have been unbearable. This issue isn’t
about taking sides; it’s about confronting heartbreaking realities.
The U.S.
immigration system needs reform, not mass deportation. Children should not be
separated from their parents at borders, and families should not be forced to
pay smugglers, only to face peril at sea. At the same time, we must address the
practical limitations of what is feasible. The challenge lies in crafting
solutions that are safe, humane and pragmatic.
Trump’s
Policies Face Criticism
Donald
Trump’s plan to revoke the protected status of immigrants has faced widespread
criticism. The Miami Herald, a leading newspaper in his adopted home
state of Florida, published an editorial headlined “Trump’s Vow to Deport Immigrants
with Protected Status Would Hurt His Home State the Most.” The editorial board
pointed out that while TPS is meant to be temporary, conditions in countries
like Haiti and Venezuela remain dire. Deporting TPS recipients would put them
in harm’s way and disrupt communities in states like Florida, where these
individuals are integral as neighbors, friends and family members.
Nobel
Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman warned in The New York Times that
mass deportations could severely impact the U.S. economy. Immigrants make up
around three-quarters of the agricultural workforce, and about half of them are
undocumented. Removing such a massive portion of this workforce could cause
food prices to skyrocket, affecting every American’s grocery bill.
Reforming
Family-Based Immigration
Instead of
targeting millions of immigrants already contributing to American society,
policymakers should address the flaws in the current immigration system. One
area ripe for reform is family-based immigration, often referred to as
"chain migration."
Between
2007 and 2016, approximately 10.6 million legal immigrants entered the U.S.,
with about half arriving through family-based preferences, according to the
Center for Immigration Studies.
Critics
argue that family-based immigration places a financial burden on taxpayers.
Research from The Heritage Foundation suggests that low-skilled immigrant
households often receive more in government benefits than they pay in taxes.
These households could impose a net cost of $89 billion annually and
approximately $1.2 million over a lifetime.
The roots
of family reunification laws trace back to the Cold War era. During this time,
refugees from communist regimes, particularly the Soviet Union, lobbied
Congress to allow their families to join them in the U.S., solidifying
America’s reputation as a beacon of hope and freedom. This approach gained
legislative support with the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.
Representative Michael Feighan, a conservative Democrat from Ohio, played a key
role in shaping these laws. While the policy was initially intended to maintain
America’s demographic composition, it evolved into a system that allows
families to reunite and thrive together in the U.S.
Many
immigrants already living in the United States consider this country their
home. Forcing them to leave is not only immoral, but also un-American. Such
actions would harm the economy, disrupt families and tarnish America’s
reputation as a land of opportunity.
Rather
than resorting to mass deportations, the U.S. should reform its immigration
laws to prioritize individuals with skills that contribute to the nation’s
strength. Addressing gaps in family reunification policies and ensuring a
balanced approach to immigration can help the U.S. remain a beacon of hope and
a land of opportunity. Reforming the system is not just the right thing to do;
it’s the smart thing to do.
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