Trump’s stance on undocumented immigrants ignites fear among millions in US

With the U.S. presidential election on the horizon, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s proposed immigration policies are stirring deep anxieties among the country’s estimated 11 million undocumented residents.

Trump's vice-presidential pick, J.D. Vance, recently reaffirmed their administration’s commitment to deporting 1 million undocumented immigrants within the first year if they win. This plan mirrors Trump’s 2016 campaign, where immigration policy became a central theme, helping him secure the presidency against Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Though recent polls show Democratic candidate Kamala Harris slightly leading Trump, the immigration debate remains pivotal. Trump’s appeal among conservative voters partly stems from his hardline stance on immigration and his “America First” slogan, which calls for prioritizing U.S. citizens over undocumented residents. Harris, in contrast, advocates reform for legitimate immigration pathways, aiming for a more humanitarian approach.

Trump’s promise to make immigration enforcement a priority could lead to the U.S.’s largest deportation operation in history. Republican policy advisor Stephen Miller has claimed that this would affect millions of undocumented individuals, many of whom have lived in the U.S. for years.

Analysts estimate the operation would cost around $150 billion and could disrupt the lives of millions, including 4.5 million U.S.-born children of undocumented parents.

Critics argue that Trump’s strategy is overly ambitious. Eduardo Porter, a Washington Post immigration writer, highlighted the logistical challenges, noting it would require over 58,000 flights to complete.

Moreover, a large-scale deportation effort may strain U.S.-Mexico relations and impact U.S. GDP, given undocumented immigrants contribute approximately $11.7 billion in taxes annually.