The Trump administration’s crusade against illegal immigration within the United States has taken a downturn just four months after his return to office. Despite his promises of pushing illegal immigrants out of the country by the millions, the administration only deported 12,300 immigrants, 400 less than last year, according to NBC.
Due to major funding and logistical issues hindering the Trump administration’s deportations, they have turned to self-deportations while they wait for Congress to increase the budget for ICE.
Unfortunately, Trump’s hopes that deportations will increase by incentivizing immigrants to leave are having the opposite effect. Immigrants who would be more than happy to leave the United States are wary or afraid to report their illegal status.
Time and time again, the media have showcased people being taken away without any due process or interference from the courts. Additionally, there is hardly any effort to keep the loved ones of these people updated on the process of these deportations or even to offer a legal way for these people to enter the United States.
If Trump wants more people to self-deport, the overreliance on punishment or fear in his messaging will get his administration nowhere. Lasting and serious Immigration reform is the only right way to genuinely bring down the percentage of illegal immigrants within this country. Unfortunately, reform seems to be the last thing Trump wants to implement.
