Economic Divide

The wave of rising inequalities across the globe is altering political landscapes, pushing voters to reconsider who truly represents their interests.

President-elect Donald Trump's planned drive to deport tens of millions of illegal aliens signals a profound shift in the US approach to immigration, raising difficult questions about legality, feasibility, and morality.

Mr. Trump's pledge to enforce mass deportations as a cornerstone of his return to office is designed to appeal to a significant portion of the electorate. However, the sweeping nature of the plan, which would possibly mobilize military and government resources to target millions of undocumented immigrants, reveals complexities that go beyond political rhetoric.

At the heart of the issue lies Mr. Trump's reliance on an obscure and controversial law, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This statute, originally meant for wartime use, grants the government power to deport or detain foreign nationals considered "enemies" in times of conflict.

Invoking such a law to justify mass deportations risks setting a dangerous precedent, especially if it allows for rapid deportation without due process. This raises serious civil rights concerns that will almost certainly lead to legal battles.

The deportation plan also poses logistical challenges. Deporting millions of people would require a massive expansion of resources, from additional immigration officers and detention facilities to judges and transportation.

According to experts, executing such a program could cost nearly a trillion dollars over the next decade. It's not just the financial costs that should be concerning, but also the potential for these operations to destabilize communities and impact families.

The experiences from Mr. Trump's first term suggest that mass deportations lead to painful separations and create a pervasive fear within immigrant communities, with children and families often left behind and communities fragmented.