Former President Donald Trump is adamant about fulfilling his campaign promise to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history, targeting undocumented immigrants living in the country. Out of the 130 million households in the U.S., approximately 5.6 million include undocumented immigrants, posing a threat to many families that consist of both citizens and noncitizens. Trump plans to utilize the National Guard, local police, and potentially the military to remove immigrants he deems to be in the country illegally, referring to them as an invasion.
Despite Trump’s focus on recent border crossers, a large portion of undocumented immigrants have established deep roots in the U.S., with many having lived in the country for an average of 16 years. This operation would not only impact the undocumented individuals themselves, but also have ripple effects on countless American families. Approximately 20 million people live in households with mixed immigration statuses, including about 10.3 million undocumented individuals and 9.7 million others who are either citizens or have legal permission to reside in the U.S.
Many undocumented immigrants have been in the country for decades without a viable path to legalization since the Immigration Reform and Control Act was signed into law in 1986. This lack of comprehensive immigration reform has led to the existence of mixed-status families where not everyone has the same citizenship status. The prospect of mass deportations under Trump’s proposed measures is alarming to individuals like Rosa Sanchez, who has been in the country for 23 years, has children born in the U.S., and benefits from DACA protection, which Trump has attempted to end.
The current administration of President Joe Biden has confirmed that there are still children who have not been reunited with their families following the previous administration’s “zero tolerance” policy, which resulted in the separation of migrant families at the border. Trump’s proposed plan to use the military for civilian enforcement of immigration measures goes against the law and raises concerns about potential human rights violations. Despite the estimated 10.5 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. as per Pew Research Center data, Trump continues to push for harsh immigration crackdowns and the restoration of his previous policies.
For mixed-status families like the Sanchezes, the looming threat of deportation poses a significant risk of separation and hardship. Rosa Sanchez, a DACA recipient and mother of six, faces fear and uncertainty about what would happen to her family if she were to be deported. The dedication of the Sanchezes to their community, through their nonprofit organization and volunteer work, highlights the beneficial contributions that immigrants make to American society. Trump’s hardline stance on immigration policy and his plans for mass deportations could have devastating consequences for families like the Sanchezes.
