You know, when we talk about immigration, we have to be honest about what’s happening. Under Trump, the U.S. hasn’t just enforced immigration laws—it has deliberately made the process cruel. And that cruelty isn’t an accident; it’s the very method of enforcement. Policies have been designed not just to control immigration, but to make it as agonizing as possible. Family separations, harsh asylum restrictions—these weren’t unfortunate side effects, they were intentional. Officials have openly admitted that suffering is a strategy, meant to scare off future migrants. Fear and hardship aren’t flaws in the system; they’ve been built into it.
It’s not just enforcement—it’s about instilling fear. From ICE raids tearing families apart to stripping away asylum protections, Trump’s policies have made it nearly impossible for undocumented immigrants to survive in this country. And let’s talk about family separations for a moment—because that wasn’t just an accident. It was a calculated decision. The goal was to send a message: come here, and you’ll pay an unbearable price. Imagine the trauma of a child being ripped from their parents, just so the government could discourage others from seeking safety.
And then there’s asylum—one of the last hopes for people fleeing violence and persecution. Trump made sure it wasn’t just difficult to get asylum, but nearly impossible. He pushed the “Remain in Mexico” policy, forcing asylum seekers to wait in dangerous border towns, often without legal help, putting them at the mercy of crime and exploitation. Then, he created new barriers—arbitrary rules designed to block people from accessing their right to seek refuge. Instead of offering protection, our system has become a gauntlet of obstacles meant to discourage people from even trying.
Even deportation changed. Before, immigration enforcement mostly focused on people with criminal records. Under Trump, broad sections of the immigrant community were targeted, creating an atmosphere of fear and instability. Due process protections? He bulldozed right over them—expedited removals, prolonged detentions without hearings, restricted access to legal representation. And through rhetoric that painted migrants as criminals, public sympathy eroded. Immigration enforcement became about punishment, not justice.
Here’s the real issue: instead of meaningful immigration reform, Trump’s approach is all about spectacle. He inflates the immigration debate into a crisis, exaggerates threats to justify extreme measures. Think about the border wall—was it really an effective solution? Or was it a symbol meant to rally support? His focus on optics has drowned out real conversations about labor, asylum protections, and pathways to citizenship. Immigration has been turned into a wedge issue rather than a policy challenge we need to fix.
For generations, America has been a beacon of hope. People have arrived here seeking refuge, believing in the promise of freedom and opportunity. We’ve told the world that we’re a shining city on a hill, welcoming anyone with the heart and determination to make a life here. But under Trump’s immigration policies, that vision is fading. Instead of hope, we’re offering fear. Instead of refuge, we’re inflicting hardship. Family separations, asylum restrictions, mass deportations—these have turned immigration policy into something designed to break people, not help them.
But we don’t have to accept this. If America is going to remain a land of opportunity, we need to reject cruelty as policy. We need to fight for the ideals that have always made this country great. The doors to that shining city must stay open—for those seeking freedom, safety, and a better life. That’s the America we should stand for.