First Mass Deportation Looming: Restoring Values and Strengthening Institutions
As President Donald Trump’s administration prepares to enforce sweeping immigration policies, one of the most controversial moves on the horizon is the expansion of expedited deportations. This marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy and raises fundamental questions about the country’s approach to illegal immigration, rule of law, and the global impact of such measures.
Trump’s agenda, which includes mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, particularly those who have overstayed visas or entered the country illegally, is based on the premise that immigration must be controlled to preserve the integrity of the nation’s institutions. As he moves closer to implementing these policies, the debate has grown more intense, particularly regarding the social and humanitarian impacts. However, there’s a broader issue at play here — one that transcends borders and calls for a global reevaluation of how we approach immigration, values, and institutional resilience.
The Importance of Upholding Rule of Law
The core of President Trump’s stance on immigration is a belief in upholding the rule of law. The U.S., like every nation, is built on a system that depends on lawful order. Allowing individuals to circumvent that order, regardless of their motivations, sets a dangerous precedent. It undermines the very foundations of democracy, which are designed to ensure fairness and equality for all, particularly those who follow legal processes.
As he moves closer to implementing these policies, the debate has grown more intense, particularly regarding the social and humanitarian impacts. However, there’s a broader issue at play here — one that transcends borders and calls for a global reevaluation of how we approach immigration, values, and institutional resilience.
Mass deportations, while difficult for those directly impacted, represent an attempt to restore this fundamental value. By ensuring that illegal entry into the U.S. is met with enforcement of the law, the administration seeks to discourage further illegal immigration. While this policy may not be popular in all circles, it is rooted in a desire to promote stability and fairness — values that are essential to any functioning society.
A Global Perspective: Why Didn’t the World Act Sooner?
What remains baffling, however, is the lack of proactive action by the international community in response to Trump’s stated intentions. When Trump won the 2024 election and as his inauguration in January 2025 approached, his position on immigration was clear. He made no secret of his plans to clamp down on illegal immigration and enforce stricter deportation measures. So why, then, did countries around the world, as well as international organizations like the United Nations, fail to prepare for this shift?
Rather than waiting for the moment when deportations became a reality, the global community should have begun taking action immediately after Trump’s victory. There should have been discussions, collaboration, and planning with countries that would likely see an increase in deported citizens. How are these countries preparing to reintegrate their citizens? What systems are in place to address the root causes of migration, such as violence, poverty, and lack of opportunity?
By not addressing these issues in a timely manner, the international community is now faced with a situation that could have been anticipated and planned for. This delay has only complicated an already contentious issue, and it underscores the need for a more proactive and cooperative approach to immigration policy on the global stage.
The Role of Citizens in Strengthening Institutions
One of the most important aspects of the mass deportation debate is the need to restore a sense of responsibility and accountability among citizens. Countries that experience mass emigration are often plagued by poor governance and corruption. Citizens, when faced with difficult circumstances, may choose to leave rather than stay and fight for change. Yet, the reality is that leaders do not simply emerge from nowhere. They are a reflection of the societies in which they are born.If people are constantly fleeing their own nations in search of better opportunities elsewhere, it becomes harder for their home countries to improve. Leaders remain in power because citizens fail to hold them accountable. This is a significant part of the problem. Citizens must take responsibility for their countries’ futures and contribute to the political and economic stability of their nations. Rather than abandoning their homes in pursuit of a better life abroad, they should focus on the potential for progress within their own borders.
By strengthening institutions and fostering a sense of national pride and responsibility, countries can reduce the reasons for mass migration in the first place. The push for mass deportations should be viewed in this light — not as an attack on the people being deported, but as part of a larger strategy to restore the integrity of national borders and encourage citizens to invest in their own countries.
The Need for a Values-Based Global System
The mass deportation plans, including President Trump’s policies, should serve as a wake-up call for the world. They highlight the need to return to core values that emphasize institutional strength, fairness, and the rule of law. Nations must build systems that foster opportunity for their citizens and create environments that discourage the exploitation of other countries’ resources and social services.
At the same time, countries must collaborate to create sustainable immigration systems that account for the root causes of migration. This involves not just enforcement, but also a concerted effort to address issues like poverty, corruption, and human rights abuses that force people to leave their countries in search of safety and opportunity.
In this context, immigration policies are not simply about managing borders but about fostering global stability. President Trump’s policies should be viewed as part of a larger discussion on how the international community can work together to create an immigration system that respects the rule of law while addressing the real issues that drive people to leave their homes in the first place.
Conclusion: Moving Toward a New Global Consensus
As the first mass deportation looms, it is important to remember that this is not just about U.S. immigration policy. It is about how the world approaches migration, values, and the systems that govern societies. Rather than focusing solely on the impact of deportations, we should be asking deeper questions: How can we restore the strength of institutions globally? How can we build societies where citizens work to improve their own countries instead of fleeing them?
This is an opportunity to start a new conversation, one that emphasizes values, fairness, and the importance of strengthening institutions for the benefit of all. President Trump’s actions, while contentious, serve as a call to action for the global community to reevaluate its approach to immigration and to take proactive steps to address the root causes of migration. The world must work together to create a system that respects the rule of law, strengthens communities, and provides a better future for all.
Dr Brian Reuben is the Executive Chairman of the Sixteenth Council
