It's too early to know exactly how Donald Trump's presidency and a Republican-controlled Congress will affect immigration policy in the United States.
It's no secret that Trump called for the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants while he was on the campaign trail, but it is yet to be determined if he will actually follow through on that promise.
One big issue that Trump's administration will have to consider is the effect mass deportations could have on the economy.
How Mass Deportations Could Affect the Economy
There are roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country right now, and about 7 million play an important role in the U.S. workforce.
A report from the Center for American Progress (CAP) concluded that deporting that many workers would harm the U.S. economy as a whole, as well as the economies of each individual state.
The report said that the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would be reduced by 2.6 percent as a result of losing these workers. Additionally, the country would have to take on the huge expense of locating and deporting that many people, which would raise the federal debt.
The potential economic harm doesn't stop there. The report found that the federal government would lose as much as $900 billion in revenue in the 10 years after deporting all undocumented immigrants. Potentially savings would be minimal as undocumented immigrants do not receive federal benefits.
As you can see, mass deportations really don't make sense from an economic standpoint, and Trump's administration will have to acknowledge that.
Many Will Fight Mass Deportation Policy
It's important to remember that many Americans and legal advocates will be fighting hard to protect immigrants and their families from deportation.
Most immigrants who entered the country illegally are working hard, raising loving families and making important contributions to their communities. This will not be overlooked.
In addition to pro-immigration advocates, it is also likely that the industries that would suffer most from a mass deportation policy will also be lobbying hard against it. These industries include financial activities, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, agriculture, construction, and leisure and hospitality.
Still, Get Immigration Help Now
The truth is that we don't know how Donald Trump's presidency and the Republican-controlled Congress will affect immigration laws in the United States, but chances are that the laws will become less friendly to immigrants and their families. That's why it's important to get help now from a Houston deportation lawyer you can trust.