Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Isn't Working

Some right-wing political leaders view Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown as a model to emulate. But a closer look at the numbers confirms that, while denouncing foreigners can be politically fruitful, attempting to get rid of them is both economically costly and demonstrably futile. MEXICO CITY – Aggressive anti-immigrant policies have been a hallmark of US President Donald Trump’s first year back in the White House, and this appears unlikely to change in 2026. A growing number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents carry out raids and deportations, often in defiance of judges’ orders and repeatedly sweeping up US citizens , and the administration is closing legal pathways to immigration, including by halting all applications for migrants from 19 countries. Now, other countries concerned about immigration are wondering if they should follow Trump’s lead.