Misleading Claims About Illegal Immigration and Immigration Policies.
In the United States, millions of people live without legal authorization. Some entered by crossing the southern border from Mexico, while others arrived on visas and overstayed their permits.
When Donald Trump left office in January 2021, it was estimated that around 10.5 million foreign-born individuals were in the U.S. illegally. Analysis from the Migration Policy Institute shows that about two-thirds of these individuals had been in the country for over ten years, and roughly one-third had children who are U.S. citizens.
However, Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, often cite a much larger figure. For instance, Vance recently claimed at a rally in North Carolina that the U.S. is importing “25 million illegal aliens,” a number significantly higher than the 2021 estimate and an increase of nearly 140 percent.
This figure is inaccurate and misleading, combining misrepresented data and exaggerated rhetoric. Since President Joe Biden took office, millions of immigrants have been stopped at the border. However, many were turned away under a covid-era policy, and others remain in detention. While several million have been released to await asylum adjudication, these individuals are not considered illegal immigrants if they are in the country legally while their claims are processed.
Estimates suggest that around 2 million people who entered the U.S. illegally have remained without authorization since 2021. This number is challenging to pin down precisely, but the government uses various methods to estimate it.
Among those legally present are Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, who have been the target of Vance’s anti-immigrant rhetoric. The increase in Haitian immigrants seeking to move to the U.S. due to unrest and natural disasters was addressed by granting them temporary protected status and extending an immigration parole program.
Vance, however, dismissed these legal measures, stating that the actions of Vice President Kamala Harris, including the use of temporary protective status and parole, do not make these immigrants legal. He argues that these administrative actions are not valid, despite their legal basis.
Vance’s criticism mirrors earlier complaints used in the House impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, accusing him of releasing aliens en masse from mandatory detention. Now, with Harris as Trump’s opponent, Vance has shifted the criticism to her, questioning the legality of the measures.
David Bier from the Cato Institute notes that even if the administration’s decisions were overturned, immigrants who entered under these measures would not be considered illegal under any legal interpretation. Vance’s stance, he argues, abolishes the distinction between legal and illegal status, allowing Trump and Vance to redefine who is considered “illegal” and subject to deportation.
The rhetoric against Haitian immigrants and other foreign workers has been intense, with right-wing critics targeting immigrant workers even when local communities benefit from their presence. This criticism raises concerns about how a potential second Trump administration might handle immigration status, possibly targeting those who attract Trump’s and Vance’s attention.
Under Trump’s previous administration, there was a process to strip citizenship from naturalized foreign-born individuals, which was heavily promoted by adviser Stephen Miller. Reports indicated that thousands of U.S. citizens were targeted during Trump’s presidency. If Trump were to win again, this process might be further intensified.
Vance’s recent remarks reflect an effort to shift criticism and address growing threats against individuals and properties in his state. The rhetoric suggests that, under a Trump administration, decisions about who is legally residing in the U.S. could become increasingly subjective, potentially leading to increased deportations. The message to immigrants appears clear: their status could be uncertain, and they might face significant risks of deportation under a future administration.