Social and Economic Cost of Illegal Immigration and Deportation as a Solution
The Migratory Catastrophe Caused by Biden
The mass deportations of illegal immigrants have been a topic of intense debate in the United States, especially under the disastrous policy of lack of control generated by the Biden-Kamala administration, which left as a legacy to President Trump the consequences of a policy that rewarded and encouraged illegal immigration. Trump has promised to fix the problem with mass deportation, and reinstating measures that Biden repealed with executive actions during his term. This essay will explore the costs associated with these deportations, the economic and social cost of the disaster and lack of control of the current immigration policy, the cost to taxpayers, and the implications for families who will have to decide whether to leave accompanied by their children or leave them in the custody of a family member in this process. Perspectives on the legality of actions around immigration will be discussed and how this situation could evolve in the future will be analyzed.
National Sovereignty and Border Security
Under the premise of "American First," Trump seeks to strengthen national sovereignty and border security. Trump has hailed the construction of a wall on the southern border as a symbol of his intention to curb illegal immigration. His promise to reinstate immigration measures repealed by Biden, such as the "Remain in Mexico" program, aims to establish stricter border control and deter the arrival of new undocumented immigrants.
The arrival of millions of undocumented immigrants in recent years has generated a significant increase in pressure on legal and social resources. The Biden administration has taken the weakest stance in the history of border control, welcoming criminals, drug and human traffickers, and spies who have infiltrated along with immigrants seeking more favorable opportunities for their lives and their families by facilitating a route to greater decontrol and violation of immigration laws, a situation that is unacceptable for the security of the United States.
Priority of Deportations
To begin eradicating the migration crisis, the priority of deportations should be focused on those who have broken the laws. This includes people with criminal records and those who have committed serious crimes in their home country or the United States. Managing these deportations is a complex task that not only poses a logistical challenge but also raises ethical questions about justice in law enforcement. By deporting violators of immigration laws, it seeks to deter others from attempting to cross illegally, setting a precedent for the consequences of such actions.
Emotional and Social Cost of Deportations
One of the most worn-out arguments in this debate from opponents of deportations is the argument for the emotional and social toll of deportations, especially in cases where immigrant parents have U.S.-born children. Regardless of whether or not deportations can cause family separation, many deported parents will have to make the difficult decision of leaving their children behind if they decide to return to their home country without their children or if they take them with them. This situation raises serious questions about the future of children, who are U.S. citizens by birth, who have two options: leave with their parents or remain in the United States with a family member to foster them.
The Democratic left, progressives and those who advocate open borders promote blaming Trump as responsible for the consequences of family separation, a myth that the new Border Czar Tom Homan has made clear:
"The problem is this: you knew you were in the country illegally and you decided to have a child. So, you were the one who put your family in that position," Homan said.
"Homan explained that it will be the families who will decide whether they are deported to their countries of origin along with the minors or if they leave them in the United States with a relative. We are going to have to build facilities for families. The number of beds we will need will depend on what the data indicates", he said.
From a legal standpoint, the right to deportation is based on non-compliance with immigration laws. People who enter the country without due process are committing a crime under U.S. law, despite activists and human rights defenders arguing that deportation can be unjust and counterproductive, promoting non-compliance with the law. In addition, they argue that deportation can discourage people from reporting crimes or participating in society, resulting in a more vulnerable community. This argument is questionable as it lacks statistical support.
Financial Cost of Deportations vs. Public Safety
The financial cost associated with deportation is another aspect to consider. The new administration knows that mass deportation operations require significant resources, including personnel, transportation, and lodging, that they can be made more expensive by the refusal of the governments of sanctuary cities of Democrats who refuse to collaborate with federal immigration authorities, as well as it will have to face the challenges of Democratic congressmen for which the president would invoke a national emergency to obtain the required funds. It is known that mass deportations could result in a partial loss of labor in sectors that depend on immigrants, which could temporarily affect the local and national economy until new immigrant employees can be found to enter orderly and legally with a work visa. These dynamics suggest that a more fluid and efficient migration policy should be used to counteract the initial economic and social consequences of deportations. As a result of the deportations of illegal immigrants, and the orderly control of entries into the country, there will be savings in the costs of financial maintenance and other welfare expenses that are being provided to illegal immigrants.
Costs of Illegal Immigration to Taxpayers
The costs of illegal immigration to U.S. taxpayers exceed $150 billion annually, warns the organization FAIR, which advocates for immigration reform and questions the use of funds earmarked for immigration, arguing that they should be used to help vulnerable citizens such as veterans and the elderly.
Government funding to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that assist illegal immigrants by facilitating their arrival and stay in the country could also be suspended. In addition, funding could be cut or eliminated for local NGOs, and international agencies such as the UN that are used to promote illegal immigration to the United States.
Deportations and Immigration Reform
Looking to the future, the immigration landscape in the United States will continue to be complicated to achieve comprehensive immigration reform. Before proposing comprehensive immigration reform, it is imperative to deport illegal immigrants, continue the construction of the border wall, and re-establish all measures that can contain illegal immigration. The debate on advanced immigration reform could continue to be strengthened by the experiences of the process of restoring border security and normalizing the orderly and legal immigration process. The policies adopted must balance the security, legality, and humanity required by conventional migration processes and the asylum process. This will require both political will and sensitivity and understanding of the need to maintain a fair migration process and the security of individuals and the nation.
In conclusion, the mass deportations of illegal immigrants that the Trump administration will undertake are the first step to the solution of the immigration crisis inherited from the Biden regime and undoubtedly a complex phenomenon that involves legal, economic, and social considerations. The Trump administration faces a significant challenge as it tries to balance concerns about border security and the need to orderly regularize immigration policy. The immigration situation will continue to evolve, despite considerations of the economic, human, and social cost that mass deportation may entail in the United States. As new strategies to address this issue are discussed, it is crucial to maintain an open dialogue and consider all perspectives involved to reach fair and effective solutions that consider a comprehensive migration process that guarantees national security.
José Tarano is a technical producer, graphic designer, collaborator, and researcher at Patria de Martí ► and The CubanAmerican Voice ►. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in Telecommunications from José Antonio Echeverria Superior Polytechnic Institute (ISPJAE). In addition, he is the founder and director of Electronics JR Computer Design and Service ►, a computer and information technology services company. Originally from Santiago de las Vegas, Havana, Cuba, he currently resides in the United States.