Who’s Being Deported? Our Neighbors, Friends, and the Workforce
Immigration Policy Brief #139 | By: Morgan Davidson | February 2, 2025
Featured Photo From: cbsnews.com
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Given the start of the Trump era and ICE raids occurring across the country it is timely to remind people who immigrants are and more importantly who they are not. The initial figures released by ICE at the start of the new era of raids on immigrants reported that they had arrested 472 people on average in the first 3 days. Shortly after, President Trump set a quota of 1,800 arrests a day. That is around 4 times higher. So far, ICE has stepped up their efforts with the lowest day for arrests being 864 but has still remained short of Trump’s quota with the largest day for arrests totalling 1,179.
ICE claims that “targeted enforcement operations” (TEOs) focus on “criminal aliens who threaten national security or public safety.” This rhetoric aligns with Trump’s promises to go after criminals. However, the reality tells a different story. While ICE has been tight-lipped about the specifics, data obtained by NBC News revealed that on the largest day of arrests, nearly 52% of those detained were known criminals, meaning roughly 48% had no violent record. If they aren’t criminals, then who are they?
Analysis
In short they are our neighbors, friends, and the backbone of our economy in many regards. Immigrants are vital to a wide range of industries across the economy. In sectors like agriculture, construction, hospitality, healthcare, technology, and research, immigrant workers make up a significant portion of the workforce. Whether filling low-skilled roles that many native-born citizens are less likely to pursue or taking on high-skilled, specialized positions, immigrants contribute to both the growth of businesses and the advancement of innovation.
Immigrant farmworkers are critical to agriculture, performing tasks such as planting, harvesting, and packing. Without immigrant labor, many farms would struggle to meet demand, leading to higher food prices and potential shortages.
Many immigrant workers in the construction industry fill roles such as laborers, carpenters, and roofers. Their contribution is crucial to infrastructure development and housing projects, which drive economic growth.
Immigrants also fill roles in hospitality, such as housekeeping, janitorial services, and restaurant positions. These workers ensure the smooth functioning of the hospitality industry, which is a significant part of the service sector.
Immigrants make up a sizable proportion of healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and home health aides. Their expertise helps fill critical gaps, particularly in underserved communities, and ensures that the healthcare system runs efficiently.
Immigrants in tech industries, such as software engineers and data analysts, contribute to the rapid advancement of technology, driving innovation and economic competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Many professors and scientists in research institutions and universities are immigrants who bring diverse perspectives to their fields, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and fostering scientific discovery.
Immigrant-run businesses often serve as economic engines, creating jobs and providing goods and services that enrich local economies. These businesses often support local community by offering affordable products and services. Immigrants are known for their entrepreneurial spirit, starting successful startups that introduce new ideas and technologies, contributing to the innovation-driven economy.
In conclusion, immigrants are integral to the economy, contributing across a wide spectrum of sectors, from low-skilled labor to high-skilled professions. Their impact cannot be overstated. Despite facing challenges such as wage gaps and workplace exploitation, immigrants continue to drive prosperity. However, the Trump administration seeks to undermine their economic contributions.
The mass deportation efforts under the Trump administration not only harm the economy but also damage our nation’s moral standing. By separating families, many of whom have deep roots in American communities, the government inflicts lasting emotional trauma.
Immigrants, who often pay taxes and contribute to society, are unfairly labeled as criminals and treated like felons simply for their immigration status. This dehumanization, along with the fear and instability it creates, destabilizes families and communities. Rather than recognizing their vital contributions, these policies harm both the workforce and the core values of fairness, justice, and compassion that America is supposed to uphold.
Engagement Resources:
- You can follow ICE arrests on X https://x.com/ICEgov?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
- ACLU: Advocacy for immigrant rights and challenges to unconstitutional policies.
https://www.aclu.org - Source on who ICE is arresting- https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/ice-trump-deportations-numbers-rcna188937
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