The Word “deportations” Stirs a Variety of Emotions
By Brent E. Zepke, Esq.
The Word “deportations” Stirs a Variety of Emotions
President Donald Trump indicates that his policy of deporting criminals and those with criminal records is necessary for the safety of U.S. citizens.
Others suggest that President Trump’s policy is inconsistent with European countries.
What do the European countries say?
Letter to Court
On May 25, 2025, the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on behalf of Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Italy, and Portugal, sent the following letter to the European Court of Human Rights:
“Some [immigrants] have come and chosen not to integrate, isolating themselves in parallel societies and distancing themselves from our fundamental values of equality, democracy, and freedom.
“In particular, some have not contributed positively to the societies welcoming them and have chosen to commit crimes.
“We want to deport illegal immigrants who commit violent drug-related crimes, as well as allow for our government to track illegal immigrants more closely.
“They are trying to use our values and rights against us. For example, by instrumentalizing migrants at our borders.”
Scandinavian Countries
The Scandinavian countries are frequently cited as examples for how people are treated. Here are the actions of those countries:
Denmark is enacting policies to limit immigration and accelerate deportation for criminals or those with criminal backgrounds.
Sweden is implementing measures to combat organized crime, restrict immigration, and increase deportations. Police have been given more powers to address crime in immigrant communities. Sweden is focusing on labor immigration rather than asylum and has reduced the number of accepted resettled refugees.
Norway is addressing criminal migrants through a combination of stricter immigration policies, increased cooperation with other Nordic countries, and enhanced law enforcement efforts. This includes facilitating returning those with rejected asylum claims, increased border security, and targeted crackdowns on criminal networks that involve migrants.
Finland is addressing the issue of criminal migrants by increased police collaboration, deportation efforts, and initiatives for gang activities. Finland is also tightening its migration and asylum policies.
European Union
Besides the countries in the European Union that have already been mentioned, here are the actions of a few more.
Greece is removing the pathway to legalization for those who enter the country without authorization and is accelerating the deportation for those with failed asylum claims.
The Netherlands has prioritized the removal of criminals as part of its stricter approach to deportations.
France, in January 2024, enacted an immigration law that facilitates the deportation of foreign nationals with criminal convictions, the removal of previous protections for those who arrived as children or have family ties in France. (France reported that its attempts to curb immigration resulted in deporting 22,000 migrants living illegally in France in 2024, an increase of 27% over 2023.)
Spain is taking steps to address criminal activity among migrants. These include Article 318 of the Criminal Code imposing sanctions for facilitating illegal immigration, and actively investigating and prosecuting human traffickers and smugglers. Immigration laws specify the grounds for deportation include working without a permit, not complying with public security, or intentionally providing false information.
Germany, in order to improve public safety and address concerns about rising crime rates linked to foreign nationals, is tightening border controls, increasing deportations of those convicted of crimes, and enhancing efforts to combat migrant smuggling.
Ireland has a significant rise in the number of deportation orders issued with a focus on criminal gangs involved in human smuggling.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, in 2024, reiterated that its government views border violations as an attack on the country’s sovereignty and added that “Criminals and migrants have fired shots at border guards on several occasions.”
In 2018 the Hungarian government passed a bill dubbed the “Stop Soros” law, named after the Hungarian American billionaire George Soros, to create a crime for “promoting and supporting illegal migration.” In 2021, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that Hungary’s’ “Stop Soros” law that criminalized lawyers and activists who help asylum seekers was in breach of European law.
Switzerland and the Vatican
Besides the EU counties, Switzerland and the Vatican are known for being trend setters with their policies.
Switzerland has a multi-faceted approach to immigration as it balances its need for skilled labor with concerns for national identity and social interaction. There’s increasing emphasis on integration, including language proficiency, and demonstrating contributions to Swiss society. Switzerland has a formal deportation procedure for those who have lost their right to reside in the country because of having their asylum applications rejected, or for criminal activity, overstaying a visa, or violating the terms of their stay.
The Vatican’s approach is to balance strict border control with an emphasis on Catholic social teaching regarding the dignity of migrants and refugees. Unauthorized entry is met with penalties such as arrest, imprisonment, fines, and prohibitions from re-entering. The Vatican has no prison system so under Article 22 of the Lateran Treaty the Italian government, when requested, will prosecute, and “detain” – a nice word for deporting and imprisoning – criminals.
Conclusion
President Trump’s policy of deporting criminals and those with criminal records is being replicated in the Scandinavian countries and European Union countries as well as Switzerland and even the Vatican.
But we wouldn't have Salud Carbajal if he'd been deported! And look how much he's done for the city that took him in! Look how much he cares about the citizens who pay his salary! Some elected officials would just do their job. But not Salud. He knows it's much more important to give the finger to Trump than it is to fix our problems. If only we could have millions more like Salud this world would be a bigger shithole.
There are only two due process questions to ask:
1. Do you have a US Passport?
2. Do you have legal permission to reside in this country?
Having myself been a legal guest worker for several years, in two different European countries. I remain stunned at demands made by illegal border crossers. They are not victims. They are knowing malfeasors. That is where I start.
But I also support legal work permits according to defined labor needs of any permitting country and choosing to live under the threat that permit can be pulled at any time, depending on the 100% exercise of the host counties needs and regulations.
When one is a guest worker, they are a guest. No other unbargained rights accrue. End of the discussion.