Leaders aiming to harm the U.S. economy would welcome actions that remove essential workers. President Trump’s policies are doing just this, targeting hardworking immigrants, particularly people of color. A recent move revoked the legal status of over 300,000 Haitian immigrants and about 50,000 others under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The Supreme Court ruled in June that the government could revoke work permits and start deportations by July 27.
The ruling overturned a lower court’s decision that partially based the move on racial animus. As a result, employers have started firing Haitian employees who lost TPS protection. Trump has portrayed unauthorized immigrants as a threat, famously describing them as a dangerous “invasion.” He has used inflammatory language, including terms Adolf Hitler used, though he later denied knowing this.
Trump accused Democrats of wanting to allow unvetted and unchecked criminals and mentally unstable individuals into the U.S., causing danger. However, a study from Northwestern University found immigrants were less likely to be imprisoned than those born in the U.S. The TPS program was established with bipartisan support and was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. It protects foreigners from deportation to unsafe countries due to natural disasters or conflicts.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has urged Congress to maintain TPS, warning against workforce disruption and a humanitarian crisis. Since its inception, over 1 million immigrants have received TPS, with 70% employed, often in low-wage jobs that lack American applicants. Many TPS recipients have lived in the U.S. for decades, residing with an estimated 390,000 children and 410,000 adults who are American citizens.
Mass deportations could force U.S. families to leave or harm industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare due to workforce shortages. This could lead to higher consumer prices, business closures, and inadequate medical care, with severe consequences for patients. The construction of homes would slow, worsening housing affordability issues. There is no logical reason for Trump’s punitive approach, especially since many affected nations are predominantly Black.
Trump previously expressed a preference for immigrants from predominantly white countries, questioning why more can’t come from places like Norway. This contrasts with his views on countries like Somalia, labeling them unfavorably. His immigration actions reflect this bias, drastically reducing refugee admissions, with a concentration from white South Africans.
America’s strength lies in its diversity, with a rich history of immigration as symbolized by the Statue of Liberty’s message welcoming the tired and poor. It’s ironic that the president, who champions ‘Make America Great Again,’ opposes the immigration that helps define the nation’s greatness.
A. Scott Bolden, an attorney and former Democratic Party chair in Washington, D.C., contributes insights on this issue. He highlights the contradiction in Trump’s stance and the ongoing impact of these policies.