Tuesday November 19, 2024
File photos of former U.S. President Donald Trump (L) and Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (R), as tensions rise over Trump’s proposal to use the military for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, which Omar has strongly criticized as 'inhumane and un-American.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (HOL) — Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has denounced former President Donald Trump's proposal to deploy the U.S. military to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, calling it "xenophobic, inhumane, and un-American."
Trump's plan, which he confirmed in a social media post, involves declaring a national emergency to initiate what he describes as the largest deportation program in U.S. history. The controversial initiative aims to remove millions of undocumented immigrants from the country, beginning on his first day back in office, January 20, 2025.
The plans have reignited fears among Somali migrants in the United States.
Trump has outlined a controversial sweeping agenda, pledging to target the estimated one million undocumented immigrants with criminal records or exhausted legal appeals. However, his plan faces immense logistical and legal challenges.
The U.S. is home to approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants, many of whom have lived in the country for over a decade. Deporting millions would require vast resources, including additional agents, transportation, and detention facilities. Immigration courts, already burdened with significant backlogs, would likely be overwhelmed by the increase in cases.
Federal law guarantees due process for all individuals facing deportation, requiring court hearings that could further delay Trump's ambitions. Critics say the logistical and legal complexities make his plan challenging to implement, even with substantial federal funding and resources.
Trump's proposal has already met with resistance from local governments. Sanctuary cities, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, have vowed to continue shielding undocumented immigrants.
Legal experts point out that U.S. governance divides power between federal, state, and local levels, creating challenges for Trump's administration to enforce deportation efforts uniformly. Advocacy groups warn that the plan risks wrongful detentions, with U.S. citizens and legal residents potentially caught up in the expansive dragnet.
Mass deportations could also carry heavy economic consequences. Industries reliant on immigrant labour, such as agriculture, face the risk of severe workforce shortages. Manuel Cunha Jr., president of the Nisei Farmers League, cautioned that removing immigrant workers could disrupt the nation's food supply. "If you took away my workforce, you wouldn't eat," he said.
In addition to labour shortages, deporting millions of undocumented workers would result in significant losses in tax revenue, straining local and state economies. Families and communities would also face profound social upheaval, particularly as many undocumented immigrants have established deep ties to the U.S.
To execute his vision, Trump has assembled a team of immigration hardliners. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has been nominated as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and former ICE director Tom Homan will serve as "border czar." Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump's previous immigration policies, returns as Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Adviser.
Homan has pledged to ramp up enforcement, stating that ICE would receive expanded resources under Trump's administration. However, he acknowledged significant hurdles, including the need for additional personnel, transportation, and detention infrastructure.
While Trump frames his plan as a fulfillment of campaign promises, public opinion remains divided. Polls indicate that many Americans oppose mass deportations, especially when economic and humanitarian consequences are considered.
Legal challenges are expected to mount as advocacy groups prepare to contest the use of military resources for immigration enforcement. Questions also remain about the constitutionality of federalizing state National Guard units and bypassing local cooperation through executive orders.
For Somali families, the stakes are deeply personal. Many have lived in the U.S. for over a decade, raising children, attending schools, and contributing to their communities. Deportation threatens to separate families, disrupt education, and sever ties that have taken years to establish. Mixed-status households—where parents are undocumented but children are U.S. citizens—face an uncertain future.
Trump's rhetoric, often targeting immigrant communities, has compounded fears. Somali-Americans recall his administration's travel bans on Muslim-majority countries, including Somalia, which drastically reduced refugee admissions.
Fearing deportation, many undocumented immigrants, including Somalis, are turning to Canada as an alternative haven. Unofficial border crossings, such as Roxham Road between New York and Quebec, have seen increased activity. Canadian leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, have assured their commitment to asylum seekers but warned of resource challenges, particularly in provinces like Quebec.
Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American and vocal critic of Trump's immigration policies, has called for a unified effort to oppose what she describes as a "cruel and divisive agenda." "We will fight every step of the way," Omar said, urging lawmakers and the public to reject the plan.