Earlier this year, Multiple changes have been made in our government, one of which was mass deportation. Deportation itself is harmful to our country because immigrants contribute significantly to the economy and this country’s culture.
Many people believe that deportation is beneficial, often arguing that immigrants take jobs away from native-born citizens, pose a threat to the economy and that most undocumented immigrants are criminals therefore they deserve deportation. Contrary to these beliefs, undocumented immigrants do not harm the economy. They often fill essential and labor intensive jobs in factories and agriculture—positions that many native-born citizens may not want to take. In 2023, the USDA Economic Research Service reported that 42% of hired farm workers were unauthorized. This labor is crucial for the country’s prosperity and they contribute tremendously to our economy through taxes.
A study from the American Immigration Council in 2023 highlighted that undocumented immigrants contribute approximately $299 billion in total spending power, which included state, federal and local taxes. Furthermore, this money is directed towards essential American programs such as Medicare and Social Security. Undocumented immigrants themselves cannot access many of these benefits, but still their willingness and responsibility to pay taxes demonstrates their moral character. Undocumented immigrants paying for services that only US citizens and green card holders have access to shows that not all of them pose a threat to the country. Although undocumented immigrants may lack citizenship, they contribute immensely to our economy through the jobs they perform and the taxes they pay; showing that a document doesn’t determine your dedication to your country.
Another common justification for mass deportation is the belief that the majority of undocumented immigrants are criminals, but this stereotype is not accurate. Throughout my life, I have met many undocumented individuals who are loving and hardworking people simply striving for a better life. I am an immigrant and come from an immigrant family, so I understand the sacrifices that are made when leaving. Leaving behind your home, your loving family and loyal friends all for the hope of a better opportunity is a decision only those serious about wanting a better life would make. Coming to a new country where everythings unknown but working three times as hard to make a better life than you had takes determination. Many undocumented immigrants are just like my family, people with a dedicated mindset and faith in their hearts that drives them to work hard.
Even with all that said, deportation still occurs. We are now facing troubling practices in deportation, particularly the inhumane manner in which it is executed in our country right now. The mass deportation currently in place needs to stop, because it is operating without regard for basic human dignity. There have been unjust cases, such as that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to El Salvador despite being a citizen. He did not receive due process and is now wrongly imprisoned in El Salvador, despite being innocent of any crime.
Deporting individuals without properly researching their citizenship status shows deep irresponsibility and is extremely unjust, let alone it shows an apathetic view for the individual’s family that they will be forced to leave behind. People who are deported leave behind their job and all of the years of tireless work they put into becoming a citizen. The way our government is deporting immigrants is not only irresponsible, but it directly contradicts our laws. The Fifth Amendment protects any person, not just US citizens, from being deprived of life, liberty or property without a fair trial.
The most concerning aspect from these deportations is separating others from whom they love. Taking away the loving parents from an innocent child, taking someone away from vast opportunities to make their life better, taking away someone’s favorite neighbor, taking away the love of someone’s life leaves me without words. Doing this creates chaos, sadness and displacement in the lives of those being deported and their families affected. The reflection of inhumanity and apathy over deportation does not reflect the values of what our nation should stand for, such as unity.
Today, many immigrants with or without a citizenship are living in fear due to seeing all the mass deportations and the cruelty, that ICE is taking in order to continue its deportations. I urge the leaders of this country to make it easier to get a citizenship by creating a legal way for immigrants to enter the US by doing the jobs most US born citizens won’t do. The leaders of this country need to follow the laws that are in place and give individuals the right to due process. Finally, listen to your heart and morality when you look at inhumanity occurring, have the bravery to see how these are lives that are being displaced and see the justice being denied.
