Donald Trump, from the sleazy president of the United States, shook the public during the election run with announcements of mass expulsion of illegal immigrants after taking office.
The promise, in which he committed to deporting “two to 3 million” persons residing illegally in the United States, was met with a sharp reaction from both supporters and opponents. According to a survey by the Think Tank Migration Policy Institute (MPI) dealing with immigration, there were about 12 million illegal immigrants in 2019. The Reuters Agency says there are now 14 million.
Trump consistently addressed immigration, declaring that border control was tightened and that people residing in the US were being expelled illegally.
In the context of Polish immigrants in the US, this group may besides feel threatened by possible changes in immigration policy. Although Poles are a comparatively tiny part of illegal immigrants compared to another nationalities, any of them may be affected by changes, especially if their legal position is unregulated.
According to experts, the introduction of stricter immigration regulations could lead to an increase in the number of detentions and deportations, which in turn could affect the Polish community in the US. Polish immigrants frequently settle in the United States in search of better surviving and working conditions, and changing immigration policies could affect their life and work stability.
Although the full scope of Trump's plans for immigration is not yet clear, controversial announcements about the deportation of illegal immigrants are becoming an crucial point of public and political debate. Time will show what the long-term consequences of these decisions will be for immigrant communities in the USA, including for Poles who build their lives behind the ocean. According to The Wall Street Journal, the first phase of mass deportation of illegal immigrants is to take place in Chicago, where many Poles live.
Meanwhile, the Polish Embassy in Washington, D.C. issued a message in which it encourages the people to return to the Old Country.
– We consistently encourage Poles surviving abroad to return to Poland and support Poland with their competences. We remind you that anyone who has not renounced citizenship has the right to have a Polish passport, and thus the right to return from emigration and free residence in Poland – we read.
– After 20 years of membership of the European Union, Poland is simply a dynamic and modern country. The ever-increasing standard of surviving and prosperity of society, the rapidly increasing economy and the labour marketplace offering attractive wages and opportunities for professional improvement and a unchangeable and safe surviving environment are only any of the assets of life in Poland. From a country with a typical emigration profile, we have become a magnet that attracts foreigners looking for a better future. The Polish economy is constantly looking for specialists in various fields. We hope that the possible of surviving in a safe and dynamically developing country will besides be an incentive for people surviving on emigration to return to Poland – the message says.
