The Escalation of the Third Wave of National Removal Operations

The emotional and social impact on immigrant communities has been profound as the scope of these operations widens to include long-term residents. Many of those in this third cohort have lived in the United States for decades, possessing work authorizations, paying taxes, and raising families. The sudden removal of such individuals has created a ripple effect through local economies and social structures, particularly in industries like agriculture and construction where their presence was vital. The administration’s firm stance is that no unauthorized individual is exempt from the law, a policy that has led to the dissolution of mixed-status households and a pervasive sense of uncertainty in neighborhoods across the country.