Deportation is the removal or expulsion of a person from a country. Deportation is used by governments to remove individuals who are considered not to have legal right to be in the country or who have committed a crime. Historically, deportation has been used by colonial powers to remove indigenous people from their land. In more recent times, it has been used to deport undocumented immigrants. Deportation has devastating impacts on families and communities. This article discusses the impact of current deportation policies and offers recommendations to limit their harm.
The US currently has a large and growing population of undocumented immigrants. Most of these people are long-term residents – four-fifths have been in the country for more than a decade. In addition to their already-existing social and economic hardships, these residents are disproportionately impacted by deportation policy. This is particularly true for households with mixed-status citizens, where deportation can have ripple effects throughout a family.
It is important to remember that many people subject to deportation are trying to stay safe and provide a better life for their family members. The fear of deportation causes immense distress in their lives and can have a number of negative consequences, including higher levels of depression, anxiety, and behavioral difficulties. Deportation can also have a significant effect on children’s academic grades and their sense of security and well-being.
When an immigrant is removed from the United States, they are typically barred from returning to the country for several years or, in some cases, permanently. In order to avoid being deported, it is important for an individual to understand their rights and work with a knowledgeable immigration attorney.
As the US debates whether or not to pursue a mass deportation program, it is essential to remember that there are real and profound impacts of deportations on individuals and communities. This is especially true for migrants from Mexico and Central America, who often face violence and insecurity upon return to their homelands. Deportations have been linked to increased incidences of kidnapping, torture, rape, and murder (US Citizenship and Immigration Services, 2023).
In order for deportations to be justified, they must be based on two key principles: necessity and proportionality. Necessity is an affirmative standard that requires a state to demonstrate that the cause it is pursuing is sufficiently compelling to outweigh any deportation-induced harm. Proportionality, on the other hand, is an analytical approach to deportation that considers the strength of various normatively salient claims that can be made in support of or against a particular case.
The current administration has largely focused on deporting individuals from the United States, and in particular, those who have been here for a long time. This has been a challenging process for families, communities, and the nation as a whole. Until the US has sufficient resources to protect and welcome everyone, it is critical that this process be redirected toward the creation of more inclusive and equitable policies.