In politics, few figures have demonstrated the kind of transactional decisiveness that Trump exemplifies. His recent dealings with the Colombian government underscore the efficiency of his approach. Regardless of whether you agree with his broader policies, it's hard to deny the fact that so far the president has been decisive and effective on his biggest campaign promise: tackling illegal immigration. When Colombia's president initially refused to accept flights carrying deported criminals from the United States, Trump's response was immediate and unrelenting: the threat of tariffs, governmental sanctions and a complete freezing of critical clearances for Colombian officials. Within 30 minutes, the Colombian president reversed his stance, even offering his own plane to expedite the deportation process. It's moments like these that illuminate the undeniable efficacy of Trump's tough negotiation tactics, which I predict will be a hallmark of his presidency.
Trump's aggressive stance on immigration, including his recent executive order to end birthright citizenship, which was stopped by a federal judge, delivers on his campaign promise to the American people. On this front, it's hard to deny the data fueling Trump's argument. In 2023, approximately 250,000 children were born to illegal immigrants in the United States, according to the Center for Immigration Studies. To put this in perspective, that exceeds the total number of births in each of 48 individual states. If that rate has been consistent over the last four years (the last CIS estimate before 2023 was a 2018 report), the cumulative impact is staggering: 1 million births to illegal immigrants during the Biden administration alone. Such numbers aren't sustainable for any nation, regardless of its wealth and generosity.
These figures point to a broader issue of national identity and resource allocation that even past Democratic leaders have acknowledged. Then-Sen. Barack Obama, in a 2005 interview, stated, "We simply cannot allow people to pour into the United States undetected, undocumented, unchecked, and circumventing the line of people who are waiting patiently, diligently and lawfully to become immigrants in this country."
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton echoed similar sentiments during her Senate tenure when she noted, "I am, you know, adamantly against illegal immigrants." Clinton emphasized the strain on public resources, saying, "People have to stop employing illegal immigrants," and called for stricter border enforcement. The issue of illegal immigration may be polarizing today, but once upon a time even Democrats had a sentiment similar to Republicans today.
Even the late Rep. Barbara Jordan (D-Texas), a pioneering civil rights leader and chair of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, firmly believed in upholding the rule of law. In a 1995 speech, she stated, "It is both a right and a responsibility of a democratic society to manage immigration so that it serves the national interest." Jordan emphasized the need to limit illegal immigration to preserve social cohesion and ensure the country's long-term stability.
Critics often accuse Trump and his allies of cruelty or xenophobia, but these accusations ignore the legitimate concerns about how illegal immigration strains public resources, disrupts social cohesion and devalues the lawful processes that millions of immigrants respect and follow. Trump's decision to end birthright citizenship via executive order, regardless of its legal fate, sends a clear message: The United States cannot continue incentivizing illegal entry.
The sheer scale of illegal immigration poses questions about the long-term sustainability of American infrastructure and welfare systems. The fact that 250,000 children were born to illegal immigrants in a single year highlights the profound demographic and economic implications. These are children who, under current laws, gain automatic citizenship and access to taxpayer-funded benefits. While the moral imperative to care for children is undeniable, the broader question remains: at what cost to the integrity of the system?
Trump's decisive actions, whether in negotiating with foreign leaders or confronting immigration issues head-on, have drawn both praise and ire. However, the numbers and the historical context provided by leaders across the ideological spectrum reveal that illegal immigration is not just a political talking point; it is a real and pressing challenge. Resolving it will require a combination of firm enforcement, legal reforms and a renewed commitment to the principles of fairness and sovereignty.
Love him or hate him, Trump's ability to "get things done" is undeniable. The question for America is whether the nation's leaders will adopt his boldness in addressing illegal immigration -- a problem that, if left unchecked, threatens the very fabric of American democracy and the rule of law.