With Republicans sweeping the presidential election, Supreme Court, Senate, and House, it’s full steam ahead for Trump and company’s big, bad deportation dreams. There’s already talk that this could be the biggest mass deportation in U.S. history—officials are claiming millions of people could be affected by this wave of policies in 2025. Millions. Just let that sink in.
But let’s not stop there, because deportations are only the start of this wild ride. Experts warn we’re looking at a massive hit to the workforce in critical sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and service industries. If ending birthright citizenship is next on the agenda, we’re talking about deporting U.S.-born citizens because their parents didn’t come here “the right way.” That’s not just a ripple; it’s a full-on tidal wave.
And let’s talk logistics. Has anyone on Capitol Hill figured out exactly how this mass deportation is supposed to work? Does the U.S. even have the infrastructure to yank millions of people out of their communities? Are we about to dump people at the southern border and tell them to figure it out? The U.S. has been caught deporting people from Central and South America to Mexico—no considering their home country. What’s the plan if Mexico decides it’s had enough of being America’s unwilling “drop-off” zone? Imagine if Mexico barred U.S. citizens from visiting? Going further, what if they seize U.S. property on their soil, or clamp down on U.S.-based businesses and manufacturing there. And what if other countries follow their lead?
Now add the looming climate crisis to the mix. People in low-income countries are facing mass crop failures, extreme weather, and crumbling infrastructure. They’re going to seek safer ground—because who wouldn’t? The United States, historically known as a “beacon of hope,” should be ready to step up. But are we? Or are we preparing to slam the door shut on people in dire need? Do we shrug off our responsibility in this global crisis as if we’re not a massive contributor to the environmental catastrophes pushing people to our borders?
It’s decision time, America: Do we live up to our values, or do we turn our backs and pretend none of this is our problem?