Friday November 8, 2024
Supporters at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, July 17, 2024, rally for tougher immigration policies, holding signs that read 'Mass Deportation Now!' amid renewed calls for strict enforcement of border security and deportation of undocumented immigrants. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Mogadishu (HOL) — Donald Trump’s re-election has sent ripples through immigrant communities across the United States, especially among Somali migrants who are facing renewed fears of deportation. His campaign centred on a tough stance against undocumented immigration, promising to reinstate mass deportations on a historic scale.
For Somali families who sought North America as a haven, this could mean the disruption of family lives and the abrupt end of their hard-earned sense of security. Trump’s immigration policies create an uncertain future, potentially driving many to seek safety in Canada.
Trump’s campaign vowed to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, framing his policies as essential for border security. In interviews since the election, he has repeatedly emphasized that cost will not be a barrier. With a promise to secure the border and remove those deemed “unlawful,” Trump’s administration is planning to mobilize several federal agencies, including ICE, the Justice Department, and potentially even the military, to assist with a deportation effort of unprecedented scope.
Initial deportation targets would include individuals with criminal records, but Trump’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws could expand deportation criteria, creating fear among migrant families across the U.S.
Trump’s hardline stance on immigration signals a return to policies that previously dismantled resettlement hopes, divided families, and stoked local tensions. The wave of apprehension extends from Somali-American neighbourhoods in Minnesota.
Trump’s previous term saw a drastic reduction in refugee admissions, with Somali applicants particularly affected. From early in his presidency, Trump sought to cap the number of refugees, implementing stringent vetting policies and banning entry from Muslim-majority countries, including Somalia. In fiscal year 2016, the U.S. admitted 9,000 Somali refugees. Yet since Trump’s restrictions took effect, that number has fallen dramatically, leaving thousands stranded in refugee camps and separated from families they hoped to reunite within the United States.
For Somali-Americans and migrants in the U.S., the broader impacts of Trump’s approach to immigration extend beyond legal issues. His rhetoric, often dehumanizing and targeting high-profile figures like Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, has created an atmosphere of hostility that many say has permanently shifted their perception of belonging in the United States. Community leaders and activists are mobilizing, encouraging Somali-Americans to know their rights and seek legal support.
While Trump’s administration may push for sweeping immigration enforcement, it faces major hurdles. The U.S. legal system guarantees undocumented immigrants the right to a fair hearing before deportation, which could overwhelm immigration courts already facing a backlog of cases. The cost of detaining and deporting millions is substantial, with recent estimates suggesting mass deportations could amount to nearly $1 trillion over the next decade. Previous estimates placed the cost of deporting each undocumented individual around $10,000 – a burden on federal budgets and the capacities of agencies involved. These figures include the expansion of detention facilities and the increase in personnel needed to carry out such a large-scale operation.
Moreover, gaining the cooperation of countries to accept returnees may prove challenging. Trump’s first term saw resistance from some nations hesitant to receive their citizens, a diplomatic roadblock that could resurface, complicating deportation efforts further.
With Trump’s intensified immigration policies, Canada could become a refuge for undocumented immigrants, including Somalis who fear removal from the U.S. Unofficial entry points, like Roxham Road at the New York-Quebec border, have already seen an increase in crossings by asylum seekers hoping for a more welcoming reception in Canada.
A Somali man who risked freezing temperatures and U.S. border security in order to come into Canada in February 2017. CREDIT/ CBC
Canadian leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, have responded to these concerns by assuring citizens that Canada is prepared to handle border security while honouring its commitment to asylum seekers. However, with a surge in migration, Canada may face resource constraints, particularly in provinces like Quebec, where officials have warned of potential strain on social services.
For Somali families in the U.S., Trump’s policies hold profound consequences. Many Somali migrants have built communities, sent their children to schools, and established livelihoods in the U.S. The prospect of mass deportations threatens to separate families, disrupt education, and sever community ties that took years to form. Undocumented parents live with the fear that deportation could separate them from their children, many of whom are U.S. citizens. Human rights advocates warn that such measures could destabilize Somali communities and deepen the social divide.
The U.S. economy also relies on immigrant labour, including undocumented workers, in critical sectors like agriculture, construction, and hospitality. Mass deportations could create labour shortages, impacting industries already struggling to fill demanding roles.
Trump’s proposed policies are likely to meet resistance on multiple fronts. Legal advocacy groups, including the ACLU, are preparing challenges against Trump’s measures, arguing that mass deportations are both inhumane and costly. Many cities and counties in the U.S. have enacted “sanctuary” policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, a factor that could further complicate Trump’s plans.
Beyond the logistics and costs, Trump’s proposed move to end birthright citizenship and denaturalize citizens with undocumented parents has raised alarms. Critics argue these policies would challenge the constitutional principles that define American citizenship and deepen fears within immigrant communities. For Somali families in mixed-status households, these policies intensify concerns over their long-term security in the U.S.
Many Somalis, feeling the weight of a contentious political climate, are determined to organize within their communities, vote, and raise awareness around immigration rights.