Donald Trump’s proposed mass deportation plan, outlined ahead of the 2024 election, could impact millions of families and disproportionately harm U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants. The policy echoes Trump’s first term immigration actions, including family separations and enhanced enforcement measures, but this plan signals an even broader scope.

An estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants live in the U.S., with 5 million having children who are U.S. citizens. Deporting their parents would create a humanitarian crisis, splitting families and forcing children into foster care or extended kinship networks. Experts warn of severe psychological trauma, including anxiety and depression, for children separated from their parents. Economic instability would also increase, as many families rely on undocumented parents as breadwinners.

Nando Sigona highlighted that such measures would punish children for their parents’ immigration status. He noted the long-term harm caused by family separations and the erosion of trust within communities when families fear deportation. Sigona stressed the importance of policies that consider family unity, warning that mass deportations would create widespread suffering and destabilize society at large.

Critics argue Trump’s approach prioritizes enforcement over humanity, raising moral and ethical concerns about its long-term impacts on vulnerable children and families.