President Trump’s immigration plan has left the immigrant population in a spiral. This new plan will not only affect the country’s work system but also its families and the economy as a whole. Migration is often caused by push-and-pull factors that may influence an immigrant's decision to leave the country where they were born.
Trump’s immigration plan included a complete closure of the border and massive deportation of undocumented immigrants. Initially, his focus was on criminals and mental health risk patients; however, it has begun to affect other people. The constant fear could begin to impact the economy through the labor force and a general fear of safety.
There is no doubt the government has to be meticulous about border and immigration control, but Trump’s plan might not be the best way to handle this complex situation, especially with the intention of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attending schools to get undocumented students.
“School is supposed to be safe regardless of a student's background,” teacher Susan Kalberer said. “Education is important, and families shouldn’t have to worry about sending their children to school without return.”
There are often certain “push” factors that may force immigrants to enter a country undocumented. These may include but aren’t limited to poverty, natural disasters, unemployment, famine, and drought. Immigration is the act of moving to another country permanently. Currently, there are four types of immigrants in the US: permanent residents, temporary legal residents, undocumented residents, and naturalized citizens.
Immigrants are the backbone of this country and have played a vital part in the modern United States economy. According to the Migration Policy Institute, immigrants boost overall economic growth by expanding the labor force and increasing consumer spending. Foreign-born individuals also start new businesses at higher rates than U.S.-born individuals. In recent years, immigrants have been involved in the development of 30% of patents in strategic industries, and more than 40% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants.
Immigrants in the work field often accept job opportunities that citizens of the United States want nothing to do with because of the low pay and sometimes hazardous working conditions. According to Pew Center Research, immigrants overall accounted for the largest share of workers in farming, fishing, and forestry in 2022 at 43%, followed by construction and extraction at 29%, and many U.S. voters say immigrants, no matter their legal status, mostly take jobs citizens aren't likely to pursue. A prime example of this, according to their research, is that immigrants outnumber U.S.-born workers in jobs such as manicurists and pedicurists, taxi drivers, and ceiling installers.
One concern of many is that Trump's plan might even snowball into something bigger than anyone thought, as it may eventually affect legal and permanent immigrants. In a recent interview with “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker, Donald Trump told Welker that “you have no choice” but to deport everyone who is illegally in the U.S., even possibly legal family members. This highlights his intention of even sending back the legal family members of the returned undocumented as an alternative to separating families.
Many local families will be affected and separated because of these plans. However, the District of Warren Township is “committed to providing a safe and welcoming learning environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed, secure in the knowledge that the District will support their well-being regardless of immigration status, national origin, race, or religion.”
The Immigration Advocates Network (National Immigration Legal Services Directory) and the National Immigration Law Center (www.nilc.org) are additional resources that Warren families can contact for information and assistance.