It is media, not Trump behind illusion of mass deportations

Living in America is a privilege.

Immigrants living illegally in the United States are worried they will be caught up in massive deportation dragnets and kicked out of the country away from family and friends with little warning. However, the Trump administration is seeking to reduce those fears, saying that isn't the plan for his administration.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- In 2013, as the Obama administration deported a record high of nearly 435,000 illegal immigrants, the Obama administration shifted its focus to deporting just those who committed serious crimes.

This pacified some immigration advocates who think all people who make it into the United States should be allowed to stay regardless of permission. It also angered those who feel the nation has the right to control its borders.

Under the Trump administration, immigration arrests and deportations have come to public attention, making it appear the immigration department has suddenly ramped up enforcement. This isn't the case. Instead, the media simply did not cover immigration raids and enforcement under Obama because their goal was to support Obama. Now, they are working hard to undermine President Trump.

As part of that agenda, the media is hyping raids, making it appear as though the Trump administration has gone full Gestapo with roundups and detentions. In short, it's fake news. Raids and deportations have always happened, and they happened quite often under Obama.

The Trump administration has expanded the pool of people subject to prompt deportation, but even this is a baby step toward controlling our borders. Under the new rules, people who have committed a chargeable offense are now subject to deportation, even if they have not been convicted. Anyone that immigration officials believe may constitute a risk to public safety or national security can also be deported.

There is one basic fact few people consider. It is a privilege, not a right, to enter the United States and to reside here. A full 100 percent of the people who are deported are kicked out because they have no permission to be here in the first place. At which point people continue to reside in the U.S. without permission we are performing a merciful and charitable act.

It's understood that people build families, work jobs and pay taxes while residing here illegally. Most Americans favor a path to citizenship that includes waiting their turn in line while foregoing deportation. But for those who commit additional crimes or who are a threat to safety and security, we have the right to deport such people unapologetically.

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