Deportation, the removal of a noncitizen from the United States to their home country, is a harsh and expensive punishment that often involves prolonged periods of incarceration and lengthy periods of separation from family members. It is one of the most devastating consequences of a hostile federal policy toward immigrants, inflicting deep trauma and suffering on families and communities. Deportation is not only an attack on people, but also a profound attack on the fundamental values of our country and the civil-society infrastructure that supports immigrant communities in the United States.
The Trump administration is attempting to make the United States uninhabitable for unauthorized immigrants by dramatically ramping up interior enforcement operations. This includes leveraging the military and other government agencies to support the operation by providing transportation and detention space. It also targets state and local governments and private nonprofits that provide services to immigrants, including legal representation. This broader strategy sends a clear message that anyone who interacts with the government may be targeted for deportation, eroding their sense of safety and well-being in the country where they live, work, and play.
Many of the immigrants who are subject to immigration enforcement actions have lived in the United States for more than a decade, and many have U.S. citizen children and deep roots in their communities. If the mass deportations of these individuals were to be carried out, the economy would suffer as a result of labor shortages in critical sectors like construction and agriculture, while households in mixed-status homes face financial challenges, leading to increased stress and anxiety for all.
Amid the reshuffling of leadership within the Department of Homeland Security and the shifting enforcement priorities of the Trump administration, ICE is expected to increase the frequency and scope of its removal operations. The agency will likely focus on accelerating the removal of individuals with final orders of removal and increasing coordination with law enforcement to facilitate these operations.
Under past presidents, the majority of deportations focused on people who had serious criminal records and whose immigration status was in question. However, this policy has expanded under the Trump administration to include unauthorized residents with no criminal records and to target a broad category of “nonpriority” cases based solely on their lack of lawful status.
A growing body of evidence shows that deportations have harmful impacts on the health and economic well-being of a community. The most common effects are financial (including lost earnings and loss of purchasing power), psychological, and familial. In addition, a deportation can lead to family discord and deteriorate community cohesion. The impact on a community is especially significant when it involves children, as they are more vulnerable to the stress of potential deportation and can suffer from trauma that is difficult to overcome.