The Kakistocracy Report (06.03.2025)

The Deleterious Effects of Mass Deportation

by Allan R. Bevere whose web portal “Faith Seeking Understanding" can be found here.

Mass deportations have far-reaching consequences for the United States, touching nearly every dimension of society—economic, social, legal, humanitarian, and political. While the enforcement of immigration laws is a fundamental responsibility of any sovereign nation, the large-scale removal of non-citizens, particularly undocumented immigrants, generates ripple effects that extend far beyond those directly targeted. A thorough examination using historical parallels, economic data, and real-world case studies reveals the complex and often unintended outcomes of mass deportation policies.

Economically, the impact of mass deportations is significant. Undocumented immigrants constitute a vital segment of the U.S. labor force, especially in labor-intensive industries.(1) In agriculture, for instance, undocumented workers made up between 50–70% of farm laborers as of 2016. In construction, about 15% of workers were undocumented in 2014, and in hospitality and food services, immigrants comprised over 20% of the workforce, many without legal status. The 2011 case of Georgia offers a stark example: after the state passed a strict anti-immigration law (HB 87), many undocumented workers left, leading to a $140 million loss in unharvested crops. Attempts to replace these workers with parolees were largely unsuccessful, illustrating the difficulty of filling these labor gaps domestically.(2)

Beyond labor, undocumented immigrants also make substantial contributions to the economy at large. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, they pay roughly $11.7 billion in state and local taxes annually.(3) The American Action Forum estimated that removing all undocumented workers could shrink the GDP by 2.6%—a staggering $434 billion annually. On the other hand, the fiscal cost of deporting the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants, as calculated by the Center for American Progress in 2015, would reach approximately $114 billion, factoring in arrest, detention, legal proceedings, and transportation.(4)

Socially, mass deportations tear at the fabric of communities. An estimated 4.1 million U.S.-born children have at least one undocumented parent. When parents are deported, families are often fractured, and children can end up in foster care or become homeless. The 2011 “Shattered Families” report documented over 5,100 children in foster care due to immigration-related detentions or deportations and projected that up to 15,000 children could face similar outcomes over five years.(5) These policies erode trust in law enforcement, as communities grow reluctant to report crimes out of fear that authorities might inquire about immigration status. A 2013 University of Illinois study found that 44% of Latinos were less likely to contact police for this reason. Historically, this pattern echoes the “Mexican Repatriation” of the 1930s, when up to 1.8 million people of Mexican descent—about 60% of whom were U.S. citizens—were forcibly removed. The trauma and distrust from that period still reverberate today.(6)

Legal and ethical challenges further complicate mass deportation efforts. The immigration court system is already overwhelmed, with a backlog exceeding 3 million cases as of 2024. Attempting mass deportations without dramatically increasing judicial capacity risks due process violations. Programs like Operation Streamline, which grouped large numbers of detainees into mass trials, drew heavy criticism from civil rights advocates, including the ACLU, for creating a de facto assembly-line justice system that bypassed key legal protections.(7) Human rights issues are also at stake. Fast-tracked deportations have returned people to life-threatening conditions, violating international conventions on asylum. Under the “Remain in Mexico” policy (2019–2021), tens of thousands of asylum seekers were forced to wait in dangerous border towns, where Human Rights Watch documented over 1,500 cases of rape, kidnapping, torture, and other forms of violence.(8)

The humanitarian cost is perhaps most deeply felt at the personal level. Studies have shown the emotional toll deportation threats take on families, especially children. A 2018 study in JAMA Pediatrics found that such children showed significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Religious leaders and communities have also raised moral objections. Numerous Christian denominations—including the Catholic Church and the Evangelical Immigration Table—have denounced mass deportation policies as incompatible with Biblical mandates to protect the stranger and uphold family unity. These groups advocate for comprehensive reform that reflects justice and compassion.

Politically, immigration enforcement has become one of the most polarizing issues in America. Policies around deportation frequently spark conflict between federal and local governments, especially as more than 300 cities have adopted “sanctuary” policies to shield undocumented residents from federal immigration authorities. The differences in enforcement strategies between recent administrations underscore the shifting political terrain. Under President Obama, over three million people were deported, earning him the nickname “Deporter-in-Chief,” although the focus was largely on criminals and recent border-crossers. In contrast, the Trump administration broadened enforcement to include nearly all undocumented immigrants, regardless of criminal history, and instituted widely condemned policies like family separation. The public backlash to the 2018 “zero-tolerance” approach—including bipartisan condemnation and mass protests—eventually forced the administration to reverse course.(9)

In conclusion, while the goals of law enforcement and border security are legitimate, mass deportation policies often produce collateral damage that undermines those very objectives. They disrupt essential economic sectors, break apart families, erode civil liberties, and damage the nation’s moral and political standing. The historical and contemporary evidence is clear: a purely enforcement-driven approach is unsustainable and inhumane. A more balanced policy is needed—one that secures borders while honoring America’s core values of justice, dignity, and the rule of law. Ultimately, only Congress holds the authority to implement meaningful immigration reform. It is time for lawmakers to stop the endless cycle of political posturing and reelection campaigning and instead commit to real, bipartisan solutions.

NOTES

(1) “Industries of unauthorized immigrant workers.” Pew Research Center

(2) Megan McArdle, “Georgia's Harsh Immigration Law Costs Millions in Unharvested Crops.” Atlantic.

(3) Dan Kosten, “Immigrants as Economic Contributors: Immigrant Tax Contributions and Spending Power.” Immigration Forum.

(4) “Citizenship for Undocumented Immigrants Would Boost U.S. Economic Growth, New Report Finds.” Center for American Progress.

(5) Wendy Cervantes, “Shattered Families: New Report Takes Closer Look at Devastating Effects of Immigration Enforcement.” First Focus on Children.

(6) Time Staff, “1930s: Repatriation of Mexicans - Ana Minian.” Stanford Deepartment of History.

(7) “What Is Operation Streamline?” National Immigration Forum.

(8) “Mya Jaradat, “What is the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy and why does it matter?” Deseret News.

(9) “Difference Between Trump and Obama Immigration Policies.” differencebetween.net.