What Donald Trump’s Victory Will Mean for Immigration

FFormer President Donald Trump is promising a radical overhaul of US immigration policy if he wins the election, aimed at expanding and escalating the already harsh measures of his first term.

Trump intends to begin the mass deportation of millions of people, a project that could be marked by massive raids on workplaces and the participation of the US military, while simultaneously directing federal resources to expand the border wall on the US-Mexico border.

His proposed agenda would represent a dramatic shift in American immigration policy, targeting millions of undocumented immigrants and redefining the country’s approach to new arrivals.

Trump’s bleak view on immigration has helped define his political career since he launched his first presidential campaign in 2015. His rhetoric on the issue has raised concerns that his immigration program is rooted in an idealized fantasy of racial purity. In a speech in December, he said migrants coming to the United States were “poisoning the blood of our country.” Last month he said undocumented immigrants who committed murders “bad genes”

Trump’s proposals have renewed debate over the legality, ethics and potential social consequences of such large-scale crackdowns. Critics argue that his strategies could create fundamental problems for civil rights and humanitarian obligations. But the Trump campaign is trying to capitalize on growing public anger over immigration and border security by framing its plans as a necessary response to what Trump calls a national crisis.

Here’s what you need to know about Trump’s immigration plan if he wins the presidency.

Mass deportations

Trump is making plans for mass deportation of illegal immigrants a central feature of his potential second term. He has made it clear that he intends to carry out what he calls “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.” That could mean a years-long effort to evict the estimated 11 million people in the country without permission. His administration has sought to use expedited removal processes, which allow for quick deportations without the usual legal hearings.

His campaign stressed that such measures are within the existing legal framework and would not require new legislation. They argue that mass deportations will benefit American workers by raising wages and improving working conditions. But experts warn that the sudden displacement of millions of immigrants will likely lead to economic instability, especially in industries that rely heavily on undocumented labor, such as agriculture and hospitality.

Critics of Trump’s deportation strategy argue it is inhumane, citing potential violations of due process and the trauma that mass expulsions could cause to families and communities. Many of the affected people have lived in the United States for many years and have children who are US citizens. The consequences of such a radical policy change could extend far beyond immigration, fundamentally changing the demographic and economic landscape of the country.

Using the Army for Immigration

Trump’s proposal to use the military for immigration enforcement marks a significant escalation in the federal government’s approach to illegal immigrants. Citing the 1798 Enemies Alien Act and the Insurrection Act, he plans to deploy federal troops to help detain migrants at the southern border, raising serious legal and ethical concerns about the military’s role in enforcing laws at home.

Trump said he would move thousands of troops currently stationed overseas to the U.S. southern border. He also said he would deploy the U.S. Navy to block the entry of fentanyl and fentanyl precursor chemicals into the country.

The militarization of immigration policy reflects Trump’s broader strategy of framing immigration as a security threat, portraying all undocumented immigrants as a threat to public safety. The intent is to create an unprecedentedly powerful presence on the border, bolstered by the National Guard and local police from Republican-led states. Supporters argue the approach is necessary for national security, while critics view it as a dangerous precedent that undermines civil liberties and could lead to the use of excessive force against vulnerable populations.

Trump also wants to build new detention camps for undocumented immigrants awaiting deportation, which the campaign says will speed up the processing and removal of immigrants. These efforts will likely also include military forces. Opponents fear the approach could reflect past abuses in immigration enforcement, where the rights of individuals were ignored in favor of rapid, large-scale removals.

Raids on workplaces

The second Trump administration plans to expand workplace raids as a method of identifying and detaining undocumented immigrants. The strategy, which he also intensified in his first term, aims to increase the visibility and enforcement of immigration laws in everyday life, targeting industries that often employ unauthorized workers.

Trump suggested that the raids would not only curb unauthorized employment, but also lead to significant changes in the labor market that would benefit American workers. However, the practical consequences of such raids can be far-reaching, devastating local economies and instilling fear in immigrant communities. Critics say workplace raids often lead to chaos, separating families and deepening vulnerability among immigrants. The resulting climate of mistrust can make immigrants afraid to report crimes or seek help in dangerous situations for fear of deportation.

Border Wall Expansion

Expanding and strengthening the border wall is another cornerstone of Trump’s immigration agenda, and it’s a promise that resonates deeply with his base.

The US-Mexico border is almost 2,000 miles long. During Trump’s first term, the US government built less 500 miles border wall, and much of it has replaced smaller, decrepit barriers.

Trump’s Republican Party platform, released during the Republican National Convention in July, promised: “We will get the border wall done.” Trump has announced plans to redirect military funding to build new sections of the wall, ignoring congressional appropriations – an approach that reflects the tactics of his first term, in which he prioritized border security over other federal funding priorities.

Supporters of the wall argue it is necessary for national security and to control illegal immigration. However, critics argue that the wall represents a misallocation of resources, and many experts argue that immigration problems require comprehensive reforms rather than punitive measures.

The prospect of restarting construction raises environmental and logistical concerns, especially in regions where natural landscapes may be disrupted. Additionally, whether a border wall works as a deterrent remains controversial, with research suggesting that a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of migration will be more effective in the long term.

Return to the “Remain in Mexico” policy

Trump has vowed to restore the “Remain in Mexico” policy he pursued during his first term.

term. The policy, officially called the Migrant Protection Protocols, forced migrants who entered the U.S. through the southern border and sought asylum to return to Mexico while their cases were processed. During the Trump administration, this resulted in more than 65,000 non-Mexican migrants attempting to seek temporary asylum in northern Mexico.

More Border Patrol agents

Trump plans to hire 10,000 new Border Patrol agents. That could prove challenging as the U.S. Border Patrol struggles to fill existing positions due to low morale and funding issues. Trump has promised to offer pay increases and bonuses to improve recruitment and retention at the agency.

Trump’s plan calls for a 50% increase in border patrol and requires congressional approval. However, the campaign has not specified how it will secure the necessary funding. In February, Republicans and Democrats in Congress agreed to a border security deal that would add 1,500 more Border Patrol agents and immigration personnel and expand the pool of immigration judges and asylum officers. President Joe Biden has pledged to sign the measure. But the bill died after Trump advised Republicans to wait until after the election to take action.

Termination of citizenship by birthright

On his first day in office, Trump promised issue an executive order overturning the long-standing constitutional principle that grants citizenship to children born in the United States. Trump said he would direct federal agencies to require that any child born in the U.S. have at least one parent who is a lawful permanent resident or citizen before being issued a passport or Social Security number.

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution guarantees that all people born in the United States have the rights of citizens, regardless of their race. This amendment, ratified in 1868, sought to undo the damage caused by the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision of 1857, which held that black people were not citizens. Any executive action taken by Trump to deny birthright citizenship to people born in the US is sure to be challenged in court and will likely end up all the way to the Supreme Court.

Ideological checks for immigrants

Trump has vowed to reinstate a ban on travel from Muslim-majority countries that he imposed during his first term. His campaign wrote at X in October 2023, he will “reinstate and expand” the ban on travel from “terrorism-affected countries” and “implement strict ideological screening for all immigrants.”

In the post, the Trump campaign listed plans to send immigration agents to protests in the United States to expel “pro-jihadist” demonstrators from the country and revoke the student visas of “radically anti-American and anti-Semitic foreigners” at universities. “Sympathy for jihadists, Hamas or Hamas ideology automatically disqualifies” immigrants applying to enter the United States, the campaign writes.

These ideas were expanded upon in the Republican Party platform adopted during the Republican National Convention in July. “Republicans will use existing federal law to keep foreign Christian-hating communists, Marxists and socialists out of America,” the party platform says.