Why weren’t illegal immigrants a big problem sixteen years ago?

In 2010, the estimated number of unauthorized immigrants (including children) living in the United States was approximately 11.2 million, according to the Pew Research Center

Plateau After Growth: The 2010 figure represented a leveling off after a significant decline from the historic peak of 12 million in 2007. This dip was largely attributed to the 2008 economic recession and increased border security.

Labor Force: About 8 million unauthorized immigrants were part of the U.S. workforce in 2010, accounting for roughly 5.2% of the total labor force.

State Concentrations: Over half of the unauthorized population lived in just four states: California, Texas, Florida, and New York.

These people lived, many worked in jobs most Americans wouldn’t touch and still do, they paid FICA and other taxes, were not criminals and were hardly noticed in most of the Country. And, with few state funded exceptions for healthcare, did not collect any benefits or Social Security because federal law prevents it. And they didn’t vote either.

And then along came Trump in 2015 manipulating Americans by creating the immigrant scapegoat and playing to some American’s fears, promoting hate and xenophobia.

Suddenly, a population, yes a population in the US illegally, became the enemy, a big problem, stealing our tax dollars and many Americans believed it all and still do.

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Here is a sample of Trump rhetoric…

When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best… They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
This was from his 2015 presidential campaign announcement.

• “They’re poisoning the blood of our country.”
Said in 2023 during a rally, describing the impact of illegal immigration on America.

• “These aren’t people. These are animals.”
Referring to some undocumented immigrants, particularly those associated with MS-13 gang members, during a 2018 White House meeting.

• “Why are we having all these people from shithole countries come here?”
Reportedly said in a 2018 Oval Office meeting about immigrants from Haiti and African nations, contrasting them with those from countries like Norway.

• “In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs… They’re eating the cats. They’re eating the pets of the people that live there.”
Stated during the 2024 presidential debate, amplifying unverified claims about Haitian immigrants in Ohio (many of whom are legal, but the rhetoric tied into broader anti-immigrant sentiment).

• “It’s an invasion… millions of illegal aliens.”
Frequently used term like “invasion” to describe illegal immigration, including in executive orders and speeches, portraying it as a crisis overwhelming the U.S.

• “We will not allow illegals to spill one more drop of American blood.”
From a 2024 post about a murder allegedly committed by an illegal immigrant, tying individual crimes to broader immigration policy.

• “Comrade Kamala will obliterate Social Security and Medicare by giving it away to the Millions of Illegal Immigrants who are infiltrating our Country!”
A 2024 post accusing opponents of prioritizing illegal immigrants over American citizens.

So here is Trump, misleading, lying and intentionally providing inflammatory rhetoric to rile his uninformed base…and it worked.

Now we have American citizens killed by our own government because contrary to what we are told, they are not focused on taking the criminals off our street and out of the country.

The day is coming when we will need immigrants for our economy to function. We should be planning, enacting programs to meet that need and to turn illegal immigrants safely into an asset for our country.

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Before you say it, Obama deportations were vastly different, focused and had a strategic purpose, unfortunately blocked by Congress.

This is what Trump created. Xenophobia to the max, lying and propaganda.