The prospect of implementing “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history,” as reiterated by former President Donald Trump in a recent interview with TIME Magazine, raised significant concerns about its impact on American families and communities.
If elected president in 2024, Trump promised to deport ’15 million to 20 million undocumented people’ in the U.S., using suspect numbers often quoted by immigration restrictionist groups. However, the Pew Research Center, a non-partisan organization, as well as other groups, estimate there were about 10.5 million undocumented people in the U.S. as of 2021.
Regardless of the real number, the Pew Research Center confirmed a sizable portion of U. S. households include undocumented immigrants.
Of the estimated 130 million total households in the United States, approximately 5. 6 million, or roughly 1 in every 25 households, are home to individuals without legal documentation.
This statistic underscores the significant presence of undocumented immigrants within the American population and highlights the need for policymakers and stakeholders to carefully consider the implications and complexities surrounding this demographic group.
“These are people that aren’t legally in our country. This is an invasion of our country. An invasion like probably no country has ever seen before,” Trump told TIME.
Reality
While Trump often mentions migrants who have recently crossed the border into the U.S., the reality is that a significant portion of undocumented immigrants have deep-rooted ties in the country, and an operation targeting them would have substantial ripple effects throughout American society.
With millions of undocumented immigrants (the vast majority of whom are law-abiding) deeply integrated into American society, any large-scale deportation effort would inevitably tear apart many families. And, the presence of U.S.-born children and spouses in mixed-status households adds another layer of complexity, as deportation could result in the separation of family members and disrupt the lives of those left behind.
There are about 20 million people in households with mixed immigration statuses, including approximately 10.3 million undocumented individuals and 9.7 million others who are either citizens or other immigrants with legal permission to live in the U.S., according to data from the Pew Research Center.
And contrary to common misconceptions, the majority of undocumented immigrants residing in the United States have been living in the country for an extended period. Studies show that the average length of time undocumented immigrants have been present in the US is approximately 16 years.
However, this figure can vary considerably depending on the specific state or region. For instance, in California, the average duration of stay for undocumented immigrants is even higher, reaching an average of 20. 3 years. These statistics challenge the notion that undocumented immigration is a recent or transient phenomenon and instead suggest that many of these individuals have established deep roots and long-standing ties within their local communities over the course of multiple decades.
Children
There are about 825,000 undocumented children aged 17 and younger in the U.S., according to the data, and over 3. 4 million undocumented immigrants have U.S.-born children who are younger than 18 years of age.
Longterm
The long-standing lack of comprehensive immigration reform exacerbates the situation, leaving millions of individuals without a pathway to legalization despite residing in the U.S. for decades. The absence of legislative action since the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 has perpetuated the existence of mixed-status families, who navigate their lives with varying degrees of legal status.
While the bureaucratic feasibility of implementing such a widespread deportation operation may be questionable, the rhetoric and proposals put forth by Trump evoke fear and uncertainty within immigrant communities where many could face the prospect of separation despite their long-standing presence in the country.
The discussion surrounding mass deportations underscores the need for a compassionate and comprehensive approach to immigration reform that recognizes the humanity and contributions of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.
