Trump Campaign Reignites Immigration Debate.
Immigration has again taken center stage in Donald Trump’s bid for the presidency. Recently, while recounting his administration’s efforts to curb illegal border crossings, an attempt was made on his life.
A week later, during his speech at the Republican National Convention, Trump pledged to conduct “the largest deportation operation in the history of our country.” His campaign, reminiscent of previous ones, highlights violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants rather than addressing the reasons behind migration and the contributions migrants make to American society.
El Paso’s demographics illustrate the complex reality of immigration. A quarter of its residents are foreign-born, and an estimated 50,000 are undocumented, including Dreamers and their families. These immigrants have established roots in their communities, attending local parishes, working, and raising families.
A massive deportation campaign, according to local leader Mr. Corbett, would instill fear and anxiety, tearing families and communities apart. He emphasized that relying on local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration laws, similar to efforts in Texas, would be detrimental to community safety.
Isaac Cuevas from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles noted rising anxiety in California’s immigrant communities. Many eligible for citizenship or legal residency are rushing to apply before the election. The archdiocese holds “Know Your Rights” seminars and citizenship workshops, but leaders are also considering programs for families separated by immigration enforcement.
Cuevas criticized Congressional inaction on immigration and pointed out that deportations have been a focus for administrations of both parties. He called for policies that help people and keep families together, urging for comprehensive reform.
Most immigration reforms have emphasized enforcement and border security. However, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, signed by President Ronald Reagan, legalized millions of undocumented immigrants. The U.S. bishops responded by creating the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (Clinic), which now has 430 affiliates providing legal services to immigrants.
Clinic’s executive director, Anna Gallagher, highlighted the overwhelming demand for services, with some affiliates having a two-year waiting list for consultations. She emphasized that mass deportations or family separations go against Catholic values.
In 2019, ICE raids on Mississippi chicken processing plants led to the detention of 680 individuals, leaving many children without their parents. Gallagher noted the community’s heartbreak and stressed the importance of recognizing the complexity of immigration issues.
The Pew Research Center estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. in 2022. Many of these individuals have been in the country for decades, while others arrived more recently. Approximately 60 percent entered legally but overstayed their visas.
Mixed-status families, where children are U.S. citizens and parents are undocumented, are common. President Biden’s executive actions in June aimed to protect undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens from deportation, but these measures could be reversed by the next administration.
Kevin Appleby from the Center for Migration Studies warned that mass deportation would impoverish immigrant families, leaving children traumatized and alone. He noted that undocumented immigrants contribute to the U.S. economy by providing labor, paying taxes, and contributing to Social Security.
Appleby argued that undocumented immigrants enrich the country socially and economically, but Trump’s base sees them as a threat. He stressed the need for the church and immigration advocates to better articulate the contributions of undocumented immigrants and to push for their legalization and path to citizenship.
In conclusion, the church’s stance contrasts sharply with Trump’s proposals, advocating for the inclusion and legalization of undocumented immigrants to fully integrate them into society.