Former President Donald Trump has made mass deportation a central theme of his 2024 presidential campaign, declaring his intention to carry out the largest deportation operation in American history. At the recent Republican National Convention, signs emblazoned with “Mass Deportation Now!” underscored the party’s alignment with Trump’s hardline immigration stance, though not all Republicans are fully on board.
Lauren B. Peña, a Republican activist from Texas, expressed discomfort with the rhetoric used at the convention, including terms like “illegals” and “invasion.” Peña, along with some Republicans in Congress who have advocated for more balanced immigration reforms, hopes that Trump’s aggressive stance is more bluster than actual policy. “He’s not meaning to go and deport every family that crosses the border,” Peña suggested, “he means deport the criminals and the sex offenders.”
However, Trump’s campaign appears committed to a far-reaching plan, with the former president and his advisers looking to drastically reshape America’s approach to immigration. Trump has referenced historical precedents, such as the controversial “Operation Wetback” of the 1950s, and suggested using the National Guard and even the military to deport between 15 million and 20 million undocumented immigrants—a figure far higher than the government’s estimate of 11 million in 2022.
Trump’s proposals go beyond simply fortifying the southern border, a longtime priority for conservatives, and aim to fundamentally alter the nation's immigration policy. The impact of this shift is already reverberating within the Republican Party, where there is a growing divide between those fully embracing Trump’s vision and those advocating for a more measured approach.
Some Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, have endorsed Trump’s plan, arguing that it is necessary to address the current immigration crisis. Others, like Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma, have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of such a large-scale operation. Lankford pointed out the logistical and financial challenges of targeting even the roughly 1 million people who have already received final orders of removal from immigration judges.
Florida Republicans, including Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, have suggested that Trump’s administration would likely prioritize deporting migrants with criminal backgrounds, a strategy Trump also attempted during his first term. Despite deporting approximately 1.5 million people during his presidency, Trump’s current plan is far more expansive and detailed, reflecting the influence of Stephen Miller, a former top aide expected to return to a senior role if Trump wins.
Miller has articulated a vision for a Trump administration that would seal the border and deport all undocumented immigrants, employing the National Guard to detain immigrants in large camps before deporting them without legal appeals. The plan also includes revoking birthright citizenship, a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution for over a century, and curtailing various legal migration programs, such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and temporary protections for migrants from conflict zones.
These proposals have sparked concerns about their potential economic impact, particularly in industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor, such as agriculture and construction. Jorge Franco, CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, warned that deporting the more than 75,000 immigrants working in Wisconsin’s dairy and agriculture sectors would devastate the state’s economy.
Even within the GOP, some lawmakers are advocating for a more nuanced approach. Representative Maria Elvira Salazar of Florida has pushed for legislation offering a path to citizenship for longtime residents, though she acknowledges the necessity of addressing the recent surges in border crossings. Salazar emphasized that the business community’s needs should also be considered, as industries like construction and farming depend on immigrant labor.
Meanwhile, Trump’s aggressive stance on immigration is galvanizing Democratic efforts to mobilize Latino voters, a key demographic in swing states. María Teresa Kumar, CEO of Voto Latino, reported a significant increase in voter registration since Kamala Harris ascended to the top of the Democratic ticket, with the organization nearly matching its six-month registration total in just a few weeks.
In Texas, Democratic Representative Vicente Gonzalez noted that while many voters are concerned about border security, Trump’s call for mass deportations is causing anxiety among those with undocumented family members or friends. “Mass deportation, it just gives people heartburn,” Gonzalez said, emphasizing the need for more effective policies that balance security with compassion.
As the 2024 election approaches, Trump’s immigration policies are shaping up to be a defining issue, not just for the general electorate but within the Republican Party itself, where the debate over the best path forward continues to intensify.
