In an interview aired Sunday, President-elect Donald Trump suggested that families with mixed immigration status should be deported together, a stance that aligns with the views of his appointed “border czar,” Tom Homan.
Key Context:
According to the Center for Migration Studies, there are approximately 4.7 million households in the U.S. that are considered “mixed-status.” These households include at least one undocumented person alongside either a U.S. citizen or a legal resident. Additionally, 48% of the 2.8 million households with at least one undocumented member also have a U.S.-born child.
Trump’s Proposal:
In the NBC interview on Meet the Press, Trump explained his approach, stating, “I don’t want to be breaking up families, so the only way you don’t break up the family is to keep them together and you have to send them all back.”
When questioned about the fate of children who are legally in the U.S. but whose parents are undocumented, Trump responded, “Well, what you’ve got to do if they want to stay with their father — look, we have to have rules and regulations.”
Background:
Trump’s proposal draws parallels to his previous family separation policy, which was implemented during his first term. This policy led to the separation of nearly 4,000 children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border, triggering widespread criticism and humanitarian concerns.
Tom Homan, a strong advocate for mass deportations, was involved in the implementation of that policy and has been a key figure in shaping Trump’s immigration stance.
Trump’s Stance on Dreamers and Birthright Citizenship:
During the same interview, Trump expressed a willingness to address the status of Dreamers—immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. He said, “We have to do something about the Dreamers,” and added that he would collaborate with Democrats to find a solution. Trump also noted that many of these individuals have become successful in the U.S.
However, Trump reiterated his hardline position on birthright citizenship, stating he plans to eliminate it immediately upon taking office. “We have to end it. It’s ridiculous,” he said, though he did not elaborate on how he would bypass the 14th Amendment. Trump argued that the U.S. is the only country with birthright citizenship, although many other nations, including Canada and Brazil, have similar policies.
The Bigger Picture:
Trump’s immigration proposals, which include mass deportations from day one of his presidency, could cost billions of dollars and have raised significant humanitarian concerns. The details of how these plans would be implemented remain unclear.
Related topics:
- Trump’s Mass Deportation Plans Target Immigrants Who Came to the U.S. Legally
- Boston City Council Votes to Uphold Sanctuary Status, Gears Up for Trump’s Immigration Policies
- Republicans Blast Biden’s Migrant Parole Program as ‘Full of Fraud’
