Undocumented, Unprotected, Unjust: How I.C.E. and the Trump Administration are Destroying the American Dream
Thesis: The Trump Administration is creating modern day concentration camps with no oversight committee in a rural location with no journalist or government officials allowed in to ensure human rights aren't being violated.
Introduction
In just eight days, the Trump Administration built a modern day concentration camp on a natural preserve in Ochopee, Florida. A place that republicans are referring to as "Alligator Alcatraz" is actually an illegal structure built without any oversite or any federal environmental reviews. The Center for Biological diversity and the "Friends of the Everglades", a conservationist and activist organization, have put forth a lawsuit against the United States Department of Homeland Security. Sadly, this concentration camp is only one piece of the puzzle, in a very long road of efforts to making America less diverse and less free. The Trump Administration has been actively working towards making America into an autocracy, taking away the rights of immigrants and United States citizens and putting the power in the hands of the ultra-rich. This essay will explore how enforcement practices of the United States Immigration and Customs enforcement under the Trump Administration have led to human rights violations, civil liberties concerns and community destabilization. It will argue for a human and effective immigration strategy prioritizing dignity, legal reform and economic contributions over mass detention and aggressive deportation. The intended audience for this essay is college level students, educators, policymakers and any human around the world interested in civil rights and democratic values.
History of the Problem
U.S Immigration policy has evolved slowly since the founding of the United States. Going back to the "Indian Removal Act" of 1830 when land was taken away from Native Americans and given to white plantation owners, and to the "Coolie Trade" of 1862, a policy implemented to prevent plantation owners in recruiting workers from China over enslaved black people. The evolution of immigration policy in the United States has been to keep land owned and operated by rich white men. Sadly, today, things are not all that different as they were one hundred years ago. With the creation of "Alligator Alcatraz", a concentration camp created by the current Trump administration to detain black and brown American citizens that have maybe overstayed their visas or only offense might be speaking another language other than English while being brown, or having certain tattoos in some cases.
Extent of the Problem
The debate over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveals a deep divide in American views on immigration. Civil rights groups, like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and The National Immigration Law Center argue that ICE's current practices violate human rights and civil liberties, especially through mass deportation practices and inhumane treatment in immigration facilities, like Alligator Alcatraz (Everglades Foundation. Press Release June 27, 2025). Economic research from the American Immigration Council highlights immigrant's major contributions to the United States economy, warning that mass deportations would hurt key industries. On the other hand, conservative sources, such as Fox News and Breitbart, support stricter enforcement and more border security, framing immigration as a national security issue. Meanwhile, public opinion still appears to be split. Pew Research shows Republicans prioritize border control while Democrats favor legal pathways. These contrasting perspectives highlight the urgent need for more humane, fair and effective immigration policies in the United States.
Most recently, civil rights foundations, such as the ACLU have said civil liberties are being infringed upon as the ACLU along with House Representatives are not allowed access to these facilities, in order to conduct thorough oversight of the living conditions.
(Civil rights organizations raise alarm over conditions and rights violations at immigrant detention facilities run by federal agencies. (29, 5). American Civil Liberties Union. )
Republican media outlets such as Breitbart News showcase the immigration problem in the United States as something we need to continue to put muscle into rather than treat people looking for asylum with compassion. As shared in this article from Randy Clark.
(2025 July 6)," Trump orders installation of 17 miles of Texas Border Buoys in Rio Grande". Breitbart News. These buoys are meant to be death traps for people trying to swim across the Rio Grande to freedom. Covered in barbed wire that rips the skin intentionally or holding you down under water, so you are unable to complete the swim and rather drown. These operational tactics are brutal and inhumane. These tactics don't match the message on the statue of liberty that we have been sending out to the world for over a hundred years. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." The New Colossus. Emma Lazarus. 1883.
Repercussions of the Problem
The negative messaging from right leaning news outlets like Breitbart News have been proven to be misleading and inaccurate. The American Immigration Council shares that immigration makes the United States Stronger in every industry and every city and state. "New Data: Immigrants Keep Economy Strong, As Congress Considers Wasting Billions on Mass Deportation." American Immigration Council, 25 Feb. 2025
Pew Research continues to show that the political divide in the United States continuous to be our impasse. "Republicans and Democrats have different top priorities for U.S. Immigration Policy". (Pew Research. 2022, September 8).
Human Rights Violations continue to rise under the current Trump Administration. The Trump Administration ignores laws and judges, as he did back in March when he ignored an order from a judge to turn two planes around that were headed to Venezuela. Or when Trump ignored judges orders to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the United States after he was wrongfully deported. Trump also ignored the Mayor of Los Angeles and the Governor of California when asked to not send troops into their cities, terrifying citizens for no reason other than to show force and power. Specifically, The Los Angeles Times called out the Trump administrations use of bounty hunters to hunt down U.S. Citizens and immigrants overstaying work visas. Kidnapping people while at their jobs, people that were contributing economically to a country that was treating them like criminals and putting them in cages once captured, with no civil rights explained, and no notice to their families of where they were being sent.
Libor, Jay. (2025, July 3) Kidnappers or ICE Agents? LAPD grapples with surge in calls from concerned citizens. Los Angeles Times. American Civil Liberties Union. Press Release. 29 May 2025
Quick Fix Solution
There are some quick fix solutions for redefining immigration policy in the United States that would require no brute force, no kidnappings, rather we could begin with financial fines. Or simply, if the individual is working, we could implement a "not at work act" where they can't be bothered while on the job contributing to society. Or another idea could be, you have to take issue with the employer first. Fining the employers could remove the owness from the individual and help with perception of these immigrants being bad people. This alternative option could put the responsibility on the business owners to provide the individuals with pathways to citizenship. Removing societal perceptions of immigrants being criminals.
Long Term Solutions
Some long term solutions would be to vote out Republican lawmakers that are writing inhumane laws, while also learning from other countries that do a better job of navigating incoming immigrants from certain countries. Additionally, removing guns from ICE agents and putting clipboards in their hands instead could prove to create a more safe perception of Immigration enforcement. Lastly, the more rules and financial responsibilities to the owners of the businesses that hire undocumented workers could prove over time to be a more organized and humane way to transfer responsibility. Dickerson, C. (2018, February 15). "What can the U.S. learn from how other countries handle immigration?" The New York Times.
Conclusion
In conclusion The Trump Administration is currently treating immigrants inhumanely and violating human rights, from the language they use, to the tactics they implement. The United States needs a better path forward on immigration policy. It starts with the language we use, these are people, not aliens, these are immigrants with families and their own journeys and stories. These people are not criminals; they are simply seeking a better life. The majority of United States citizens want immigration reform, not concentration camps. The majority of Americans want due process of law and a presidential cabinet that listens to the rule of law implemented by judges.
Work Cited:
Thesis: The Trump Administration is creating modern day concentration camps with no oversight committee in a rural location with no journalist or government officials allowed in to ensure human rights aren't being violated.
Introduction
In just eight days, the Trump Administration built a modern day concentration camp on a natural preserve in Ochopee, Florida. A place that republicans are referring to as "Alligator Alcatraz" is actually an illegal structure built without any oversite or any federal environmental reviews. The Center for Biological diversity and the "Friends of the Everglades", a conservationist and activist organization, have put forth a lawsuit against the United States Department of Homeland Security. Sadly, this concentration camp is only one piece of the puzzle, in a very long road of efforts to making America less diverse and less free. The Trump Administration has been actively working towards making America into an autocracy, taking away the rights of immigrants and United States citizens and putting the power in the hands of the ultra-rich. This essay will explore how enforcement practices of the United States Immigration and Customs enforcement under the Trump Administration have led to human rights violations, civil liberties concerns and community destabilization. It will argue for a human and effective immigration strategy prioritizing dignity, legal reform and economic contributions over mass detention and aggressive deportation. The intended audience for this essay is college level students, educators, policymakers and any human around the world interested in civil rights and democratic values.
History of the Problem
U.S Immigration policy has evolved slowly since the founding of the United States. Going back to the "Indian Removal Act" of 1830 when land was taken away from Native Americans and given to white plantation owners, and to the "Coolie Trade" of 1862, a policy implemented to prevent plantation owners in recruiting workers from China over enslaved black people. The evolution of immigration policy in the United States has been to keep land owned and operated by rich white men. Sadly, today, things are not all that different as they were one hundred years ago. With the creation of "Alligator Alcatraz", a concentration camp created by the current Trump administration to detain black and brown American citizens that have maybe overstayed their visas or only offense might be speaking another language other than English while being brown, or having certain tattoos in some cases.
Extent of the Problem
The debate over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveals a deep divide in American views on immigration. Civil rights groups, like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and The National Immigration Law Center argue that ICE's current practices violate human rights and civil liberties, especially through mass deportation practices and inhumane treatment in immigration facilities, like Alligator Alcatraz (Everglades Foundation. Press Release June 27, 2025). Economic research from the American Immigration Council highlights immigrant's major contributions to the United States economy, warning that mass deportations would hurt key industries. On the other hand, conservative sources, such as Fox News and Breitbart, support stricter enforcement and more border security, framing immigration as a national security issue. Meanwhile, public opinion still appears to be split. Pew Research shows Republicans prioritize border control while Democrats favor legal pathways. These contrasting perspectives highlight the urgent need for more humane, fair and effective immigration policies in the United States.
Most recently, civil rights foundations, such as the ACLU have said civil liberties are being infringed upon as the ACLU along with House Representatives are not allowed access to these facilities, in order to conduct thorough oversight of the living conditions.
(Civil rights organizations raise alarm over conditions and rights violations at immigrant detention facilities run by federal agencies. (29, 5). American Civil Liberties Union. )
Republican media outlets such as Breitbart News showcase the immigration problem in the United States as something we need to continue to put muscle into rather than treat people looking for asylum with compassion. As shared in this article from Randy Clark.
(2025 July 6)," Trump orders installation of 17 miles of Texas Border Buoys in Rio Grande". Breitbart News. These buoys are meant to be death traps for people trying to swim across the Rio Grande to freedom. Covered in barbed wire that rips the skin intentionally or holding you down under water, so you are unable to complete the swim and rather drown. These operational tactics are brutal and inhumane. These tactics don't match the message on the statue of liberty that we have been sending out to the world for over a hundred years. "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." The New Colossus. Emma Lazarus. 1883.
Repercussions of the Problem
The negative messaging from right leaning news outlets like Breitbart News have been proven to be misleading and inaccurate. The American Immigration Council shares that immigration makes the United States Stronger in every industry and every city and state. "New Data: Immigrants Keep Economy Strong, As Congress Considers Wasting Billions on Mass Deportation." American Immigration Council, 25 Feb. 2025
Pew Research continues to show that the political divide in the United States continuous to be our impasse. "Republicans and Democrats have different top priorities for U.S. Immigration Policy". (Pew Research. 2022, September 8).
Human Rights Violations continue to rise under the current Trump Administration. The Trump Administration ignores laws and judges, as he did back in March when he ignored an order from a judge to turn two planes around that were headed to Venezuela. Or when Trump ignored judges orders to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the United States after he was wrongfully deported. Trump also ignored the Mayor of Los Angeles and the Governor of California when asked to not send troops into their cities, terrifying citizens for no reason other than to show force and power. Specifically, The Los Angeles Times called out the Trump administrations use of bounty hunters to hunt down U.S. Citizens and immigrants overstaying work visas. Kidnapping people while at their jobs, people that were contributing economically to a country that was treating them like criminals and putting them in cages once captured, with no civil rights explained, and no notice to their families of where they were being sent.
Libor, Jay. (2025, July 3) Kidnappers or ICE Agents? LAPD grapples with surge in calls from concerned citizens. Los Angeles Times. American Civil Liberties Union. Press Release. 29 May 2025
Quick Fix Solution
There are some quick fix solutions for redefining immigration policy in the United States that would require no brute force, no kidnappings, rather we could begin with financial fines. Or simply, if the individual is working, we could implement a "not at work act" where they can't be bothered while on the job contributing to society. Or another idea could be, you have to take issue with the employer first. Fining the employers could remove the owness from the individual and help with perception of these immigrants being bad people. This alternative option could put the responsibility on the business owners to provide the individuals with pathways to citizenship. Removing societal perceptions of immigrants being criminals.
Long Term Solutions
Some long term solutions would be to vote out Republican lawmakers that are writing inhumane laws, while also learning from other countries that do a better job of navigating incoming immigrants from certain countries. Additionally, removing guns from ICE agents and putting clipboards in their hands instead could prove to create a more safe perception of Immigration enforcement. Lastly, the more rules and financial responsibilities to the owners of the businesses that hire undocumented workers could prove over time to be a more organized and humane way to transfer responsibility. Dickerson, C. (2018, February 15). "What can the U.S. learn from how other countries handle immigration?" The New York Times.
Conclusion
In conclusion The Trump Administration is currently treating immigrants inhumanely and violating human rights, from the language they use, to the tactics they implement. The United States needs a better path forward on immigration policy. It starts with the language we use, these are people, not aliens, these are immigrants with families and their own journeys and stories. These people are not criminals; they are simply seeking a better life. The majority of United States citizens want immigration reform, not concentration camps. The majority of Americans want due process of law and a presidential cabinet that listens to the rule of law implemented by judges.
Work Cited:
