Paul Ellertson, online publishing coordinator

CW: Mentions of Hitler

Trump has promised not only to keep deporting undocumented people and people who have visas, but also wants to deport U.S. citizens who he disagrees with. It’s like he’s trying to break former Pres. Barack Obama’s record or something. During his presidency, Obama was known as “the deporter in chief” because he deported so many people. 

Trump is now trying to deport people regardless of their citizenship status. He especially wants to deport those who have been involved in activism, such as fighting for Palestine. His actions should remind one of Hitler and the fact that not enough people are worried is scary. Hitler was able to make it so that he could deport anyone he didn’t like, starting in the mid 1930s. His weapon was the SS as many of us know. Trump’s weapon now is Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE).

ICE is acting like Trump’s secret police. They have been kidnapping people off the streets and making them disappear. This is making many innocent people think twice before venturing out, especially if they are not a U.S. citizen or only have a green card. One of the worst parts about this is that we aren’t even half a year into Trump’s presidency, so before you ask yourself “how much worse can it get?” it can and will get so much worse. It’s annoying that people didn’t see this coming during the election even though it was practically in their faces. 

Now we all have to deal with constant ICE raids and hearing about people’s disappearances. For many, resisting has become dangerous whether it’s in the streets or a social media post. Speaking out has become so much more dangerous. This is why it’s important for those of us who are U.S. citizens that ICE will have a harder time racially profiling. Yes, I’m talking about white U.S. citizens, it’s time to step it up several notches in terms of social justice advocacy. 

If you find yourself asking “what would I have done during Hitler’s Regime then?” if you aren’t doing anything now, that’s your answer and, if that makes you feel anything at all, it should make you feel ashamed enough to start doing something to fight back. 

There are enough courts saying “no” to Trump that U.S. citizens will most likely be fine for the time being. It’s still incredibly important to speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves without being put in danger. Trump’s obsession with deporting those he doesn’t like also extends to those who are seeking asylum in the United States. This shows that he’s willing to break every rule in the book even on an international level if it means expelling those he doesn’t like.