On Monday, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong argued on MSNBC’s The Beat that deporting undocumented immigrants is far more complex than it appears due to the prevalence of mixed-status families. Tong highlighted that 70% of households with an undocumented individual also include U.S. citizens or residents with other legal statuses, making mass expulsions logistically and socially challenging.
Tong emphasized that immigrants, regardless of legal status, are integral to American society. “It’s not some group of immigrants that we can compartmentalize, some other group of people that aren’t part of our lives, that aren’t part of the fabric of our businesses, our workplaces, our schools, our universities, our public and private institutions,” he said. He rejected the notion of easily separating undocumented individuals from communities where they live and work, pointing to their deep integration into various facets of American life.
The attorney general noted that mixed-status families often include a combination of U.S. citizens, non-citizens, individuals on temporary visas, and those with undocumented status. Removing one family member could create significant disruptions, not only within families but also across communities. Tong argued that such policies would harm the economy, stating, “This is utterly unworkable and will do great damage, not just to our society and American families, and our states, but to our economy.”
Critics of strict deportation policies argue that they fail to consider the broader economic and social implications. Supporters of immigration reform have echoed Tong’s concerns, calling for solutions that address the realities of mixed-status families while ensuring border security.
The debate over immigration policy continues to highlight the balance between enforcement and integration, with Tong’s comments adding to the discussion about the role of undocumented individuals in shaping the nation’s communities and economy.
