The images and stories of families being torn apart sparked widespread outrage and condemnation, even among some of Trump’s own supporters. The Trump administration eventually backed down from the policy, but the damage to its reputation had been done.
With the spectre of the child separation policy still fresh in people’s minds, any large-scale deportation operation would likely face intense scrutiny and backlash. The Trump administration would have to contend with public protests, legal challenges, and potential diplomatic fallout with countries whose citizens are being deported.
The logistical challenges of carrying out such a massive operation are also daunting. As mentioned earlier, ICE and CBP are already stretched thin, and ramping up their operations to the scale Trump envisions would require significant resources and manpower. The cost of deporting millions of people would be staggering, and the strain on the immigration system could lead to even longer backlogs and delays.
Overall, while Trump may be determined to follow through on his campaign promise of mass deportations, the reality of implementing such a plan is much more complex and difficult than he may have anticipated. The political, legal, financial, and logistical obstacles are significant, and the likelihood of achieving his goal in its entirety remains uncertain.