As former President Donald Trump plans to return to the White House with mass deportation at the forefront of his agenda, immigrant rights groups in Michigan are sounding the alarm about the potential impact on the state. Advocates warn that Trump’s deportation plan could harm residents across the state, driving up costs for goods, services, and medical care, and affecting vital industries.
While details on how Trump intends to carry out his promise to begin “the largest deportation operation in American history” remain unclear, immigrant communities in Michigan are living in fear. Many residents are anxious about the safety of their families, including children, who may be caught up in potential deportation efforts.
“We have a lot of people who are terrified. Our phones are ringing off the hook,” said Julie Powers, executive director of Immigration Law & Justice Michigan.
One of Powers’ greatest concerns is the fate of unaccompanied migrant children seeking asylum. She explains that many of these children face danger if sent back to their home countries, where they could be exposed to violence or trafficking.
“These kids don’t have a guardian. Some have fled dangerous situations where returning would almost certainly result in harm,” Powers said. “Many have been adopted or are living with extended family members who are already U.S. citizens or on their way to citizenship. We don’t know what will happen to them.”
Trump’s mass deportation efforts are expected to involve multiple federal agencies, including proposals for workplace raids, detention camps, crackdowns on sanctuary cities, and collaboration with local law enforcement and the military.
Although Trump claims that undocumented immigrants threaten the safety of Americans, his deportation plan is expected to come with a hefty price tag—estimated to cost hundreds of billions of dollars. This is despite studies showing that immigrants, including those without legal documentation, commit fewer crimes than native-born citizens.
Immigrants, documented and undocumented, make significant contributions to Michigan’s economy. Powers highlighted that immigrants comprise about 30% of the state’s physicians and surgeons, a critical role given Michigan’s aging population. The healthcare system is already under strain, and undocumented immigrants are essential to meeting the demand. As of 2018, nearly 280,000 undocumented workers were involved in healthcare roles, particularly in home care services, according to the New American Economy Research Fund.
“The people who make Michigan’s healthcare system function, who provide care to aging residents and support medical research, are often immigrants,” Powers said. “Without them, it will be harder to care for our loved ones, and our state will suffer.”
In Michigan’s agricultural sector, undocumented immigrants also play a vital role. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly half of the state’s hired crop farm workers lack legal immigration status. A mass deportation could disrupt Michigan’s $100 billion agricultural industry, leading to higher food prices and supply shortages.
“Many of these workers have been in the U.S. for generations, contributing not only to the economy but also to their local communities,” said Christine Sauvé, Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator for the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC). “If these workers are removed, it could force employers to raise wages to attract replacements, and those costs will likely be passed on to consumers.”
Trump’s economic policies, including tariffs on foreign goods, have also raised concerns. While he blames countries like Mexico and China for Michigan’s economic struggles, economists warn that high tariffs could raise prices for U.S. consumers, including food, cars, and other goods.
Bill O’Brien, executive director of Strangers No Longer, a Michigan-based advocacy group, believes that Michigan needs immigrants to help address its population stagnation. The state’s population decline led to the loss of an electoral vote in 2021.
“Michigan needs a boost, and welcoming immigrants is part of the solution,” O’Brien said. “In Michigan, people generally view immigrants positively, even if politicians try to stir fear and division.”
For immigrants in Michigan, the uncertainty surrounding their future under a potential second Trump administration is causing anxiety. Many fear that their ability to work, drive, and access basic services will be severely limited, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.
Edna Berlanga, a Michigan resident who has participated in rallies advocating for the restoration of driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants, explained the difficulties she now faces. After Michigan revoked the ability for undocumented residents to obtain driver’s licenses in 2008, Berlanga said she struggles to afford car insurance and fears encountering law enforcement during her daily activities.
“When you can’t drive or access services safely, it makes you more vulnerable,” O’Brien said. “It puts people in a position where they can be taken advantage of.”
Local law enforcement agencies, which have traditionally avoided collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), may be forced to partner with federal authorities under Trump’s deportation plans. In September, Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy began documenting interactions with undocumented immigrants, regardless of the nature of the contact.
MIRC has urged immigrant communities to be proactive and prepare for potential deportation efforts. They are advising noncitizens to renew or apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, seek passports, and pursue citizenship if possible.
Despite the challenges, Powers remains hopeful that the community will come together in difficult times, as they have in the past. She pointed to the outpouring of support from former clients of Immigration Law & Justice Michigan who are now U.S. citizens and are calling to help others.
“We are all guided by our faith and our moral compass,” Powers said. “No matter what happens, we will continue to stand with immigrant families and do our best to help them navigate these uncertain times.”
As the debate over immigration continues to intensify, immigrant communities in Michigan are preparing for the worst while hoping for a brighter future.
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