Restore the American Spirit
By Adam Ellwanger & John Waters
December 10, 2024
FR172147 AP
Critics of President-elect Trump assert that mass deportation is morally wrong for two reasons: first, Trump’s plan is said to be overbroad and will deport people indiscriminately; second, Trump’s plan will cause unjust suffering for those affected. Let us address each objection in turn.
The idea that mass deportation will be indiscriminate is false. Since winning the presidential election on November 5, Trump and his surrogates have said that deportations won’t be indiscriminate. Aliens with criminal records will be first to go. Next will be those who have failed to comply with court orders. (Yes, that is another crime – just ask Steve Bannon). Surely, strategic decisions will be made about which class of illegal immigrants will be deported thereafter, but that’s a bridge to be crossed later.
For the sake of argument, though, let’s assume that the deportation would be indiscriminate. Does that mean that mass deportation is a legitimate moral wrong, in contrast to deportations that carefully consider the unique situation of each illegal immigrant?
The answer is “no.” There is no moral difference between deporting one individual and deporting 10 million, so long as the reason for the deportation is consistent for each person deported.
https://www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/2024/12/10/restore_the_american_spirit_1077588.html
