President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants is causing concern in Michigan, where many migrant workers play a key role in the state’s agriculture and food processing industries.
According to the Michigan Department of Health, tens of thousands of migrant workers and their families contribute significantly to the local economy each year. But advocates warn that Trump’s deportation plan could not only disrupt the lives of these individuals, but also harm the state’s workforce and economy.
Susan Reed, director of the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, said the deportations could lead to higher prices for produce. “Employers are likely to face raids targeting their workforce,” Reed said. “This will make it harder for businesses to replace workers who are either no longer migrating or no longer in the community.”
Details about how Trump plans to carry out the deportations remain unclear. While Trump has suggested using local law enforcement and the National Guard, local law enforcement operates under its own leadership and does not report directly to federal authorities, which raises questions about how such an operation would unfold.
Reed also pointed out that many local communities in Michigan have passed protections for their residents, limiting the use of local resources for immigration enforcement. “Many communities have adopted policies that only allow cooperation with immigration enforcement to the extent required by law,” she said. “Though new federal laws may try to force more cooperation, many local policies already limit that.”
Despite these protections, Reed’s office continues to receive calls from people—both documented and undocumented—who fear their lives will be disrupted once Trump takes office. I’m hearing from people who are on the path to citizenship, others who have been granted asylum but don’t yet have a green card, and even some citizens who are scared of losing their status,” Reed said. “I try to reassure them, but the uncertainty remains.”
Reed emphasized that deportation could have devastating consequences, often described as a “civil death.” She urged vulnerable individuals, especially those with U.S. citizen children, to prepare for the worst. She recommends that parents arrange for power of attorney, or a “delegation of parental authority” in Michigan, to ensure their children are not placed into foster care if they are deported.
She also advises parents to keep updated passports for their U.S. citizen children, as part of their preparations.
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