President Trump’s proposal to remove up to 20 million people from the United States, far more than just the undocumented population, as part of a “whole of government” effort has raised doubts among economists, homebuilders, and industry analysts. Trump claims that mass deportations would free up homes for U.S. citizens and lower prices, but experts disagree and warn that the costs would be astronomical. Homebuilders in particular do not believe that Trump could or would deliver on this promise, with one CEO saying that losing so many workers would devastate the industry.
While Trump has a history of suggesting radical ideas without following through, such as his proposal to buy Greenland, his administration has implemented controversial immigration policies, including diverting Pentagon money to build a border wall and separating migrant children from their parents. Trump has emphasized his deportation pitch on the campaign trail, using racist rhetoric and painting immigrants as criminals.
Despite the skepticism from the industry and others, recent polling shows broad support for removing people who entered the U.S. illegally. The National Association of Home Builders has expressed concerns about the deportation proposal and is calling for a serious conversation about immigration policy and reform. Meanwhile, experts warn that mass deportations would disrupt the construction industry, which relies heavily on immigrant workers to sustain building projects. Past examples of state-level crackdowns on undocumented workers have led to labor shortages and inconsistencies in enforcement. Overall, there are concerns about the economic and social impacts of Trump’s deportation proposal and the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
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