Becker: We must learn from history, reject Trump’s talk of mass deportation

We have just concluded one of the most consequential presidential elections in recent history, and now we must face the reality of one of the most troubling themes of that election that may very well become policy: mass deportation.

Some dismiss it as mere talk, insisting it’s an empty threat or that it’s “just words.” This isn’t just rhetoric; it is a dangerous idea with the potential to tear apart families, disrupt communities and inflict lasting trauma.

Today, as we prepare for a president to take power who promises to conduct the largest mass deportation in U.S. history, we must come together to reject this premise, recognizing the impact of these words and vowing to take action against them.

History shows us what can happen when the desire for political control meets the vulnerability of immigrant communities.

During the Great Depression, President Herbert Hoover signed an executive order in response to economic hardship, targeting Mexican immigrants under the pretext of preserving “American jobs for real Americans.”

The result? More than 2 million Mexicans and Mexican Americans, 60% of whom were U.S. citizens, were forcibly removed from the country. Families were split apart, often with no process to verify citizenship status or honor the dignity of individuals who had called this country home for generations.

The impact of this policy did not end with deportations. It reverberates to this day more than 95 years later, casting a shadow over the lives of the families affected.

I have spent time with descendants of these deported families, individuals who carry the pain and generational trauma of their loved ones’ forced removals. The shame and fear from that policy linger on, even generations later.

When I learned about this history, I was shocked by my own ignorance of it. I spoke with colleagues, including state Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez. Together, we committed to ensuring that this forgotten history would no longer remain hidden.

We drafted Senate Bill 537 to recognize and remember the horrors of the Mexican Repatriation. This bill is about more than commemoration; it’s a clear statement that we will not allow such injustice to recur.

For centuries, immigrants have been an essential part of the American story. Irish, Jewish, Mexican, Asian, Indian and more — nearly all of us share roots with immigrant ancestors who braved hardship and uncertainty to build lives here.

Immigrants helped build this country, yet, in times of fear and economic distress, they have too often become scapegoats. We must acknowledge the irony — and the injustice — of targeting the very people who have helped shape America’s identity.

Words matter.  “Mass deportation” invokes dread and horror for many immigrant communities, especially those with personal or familial memories of forced removal and violence. These words, if left unchallenged, can become actions that lead to torn families and broken communities.

Our shared history warns us that what begins as political rhetoric can lead to catastrophic actions. As philosopher George Santayana reminds us, those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it. We are dangerously close to repeating this dark history.

We cannot allow today’s immigrants to endure the same trauma as those who came before. We must stand together and say: this must not happen on our watch. Reject mass deportation in both word and deed.

Commit to a future where no community is targeted and where the trauma of the past does not define the present. It’s a commitment to our shared humanity and a promise to protect future generations from the shameful mistakes of the past.

Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, is a California state senator.