On the campaign trail, Donald Trump vowed to commence the largest mass deportation of undocumented immigrants in history on Day 1 if he retook the Oval Office.Now that he’s president-elect, he’s pledging to make good on that promise — at any cost.“It’s not a question of a price tag. It’s not — really, we have no choice,” Trump said Thursday in an interview with NBC News. “When people have killed and murdered, when drug lords have destroyed countries, and now they’re going to go back to those countries because they’re not staying here. There is no price tag."There are about 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., according to Department of Homeland Security estimates from 2022, the most recent year the data is available — though Trump has maintained, without evidence, that the real number is over double that.Deportation at that scale would cost at least $315 billion, according to a report out last month by the American Immigration Council.The president-elect has built much of his political foundation upon a dark premise that an “invasion” of violent undocumented immigrants are “conquering” communities across the U.S., playing on nativist fears to blame immigrants for rising crime, inflation and compromised elections. In Thursday’s interview, Trump signaled that messaging has paid off.“They want to have borders, and they like people coming in, but they have to come in with love for the country,” he said. “They have to come in legally.”
@Idealistic1973Veteran1mo1MO
Why is it ‘inhumane’ to enforce our borders? A nation without borders isn’t a nation. If they came here illegally, they’ve broken the law, plain and simple. This is about protecting American jobs and communities from crime.
Actually, deporting 11 million people would devastate our economy. Who’s going to fill the labor gaps in agriculture, construction, and services? This move is costly, inefficient, and economically disastrous.
@@1876-Elbert1mo1MO
On agriculture, I can tell you this: no one out in rural America wants them here.
@9Z9ZB85 1mo1MO
Secured borders is Key to everyone's safety. There is an immigration process that needs to be followed if immigrants want a shot at the American Dream. Ask yourselves Would you leave the doors and windows to your home wide open for anyone and everyone to come in and do whatever they want?
315 billion to deport people who aren’t even supposed to be here in the first place? That’s money down the drain. How about we focus on securing the border first and deporting those who’ve committed serious crimes instead of wasting taxpayer dollars?
So we’re supposed to believe the government can pull off mass deportations efficiently? The same government that can barely manage DMV wait times? This is a massive government overreach that’ll create more problems than it solves.
Calling it an ‘invasion’ is a fear tactic that stokes division. These people are our neighbors. They’re our friends. I’m tired of this administration using fear of the ‘other’ to rally support. It’s just shameful.
This administration has painted immigrants as criminals without proof. Trump’s narrative is based on fear, not facts. Immigrants have lower crime rates, contribute to our communities, and deserve respect.
@9ZBQRGB1mo1MO
If your Illegal, your Against our laws and have No rights here ...
@V0t1ngCicadaDemocrat1mo1MO
Targeting millions of undocumented people, most of whom are here to work and support their families, is inhumane. $315 billion? That money could go toward healthcare, education, and actual crime prevention instead of tearing families apart.
@SoreS3nateRepublican1mo1MO
Why should Americans keep paying the price for illegal immigration? Trump’s right—this is an invasion, and we need to take back our communities. If you want to be here, come legally. Simple as that.
Everyone’s acting like immigration is harmless. The fact is, there are dangerous elements among the undocumented. If it takes a large-scale operation to weed out criminals and drug lords, so be it. America’s safety comes first.
It’s disheartening to see this level of hatred directed at immigrants. Let’s remember these are human beings. Most immigrants, documented or not, contribute positively to their communities. Deportation at this scale would traumatize millions
This is a gross over-simplification. Yes, some immigration reform is needed, but mass deportation? It’s a logistical nightmare that would do more harm than good. We need targeted, sensible solutions, not broad sweeps
I believe in legal immigration, but this approach is too extreme. We should focus on comprehensive reform to give people a pathway to citizenship, not mass deportations. We’re better than this.
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