In a strongly worded editorial published Wednesday evening, the conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board issued a serious warning about the potential economic fallout from President Donald Trump’s proposed mass deportation plans. The board, which has grown increasingly critical of Trump’s policy positions, particularly on tariffs, is now turning its attention to his immigration agenda.
The editorial highlights Trump’s move to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from Central American migrants who have lived and worked legally in the U.S. for decades. These individuals, many of whom arrived after the devastation of Hurricane Mitch in 1998, are now at risk of being forced to leave the country.
Adding to the concern is a recent statement from Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who vowed to transition the farming sector to a “100 percent American workforce.” Rollins even suggested recruiting the 34 million non-disabled working-age adults on Medicaid, despite the fact that many are already employed, in school, or caregiving.
“Does the White House really mean that, or is it another fusillade of rhetorical deterrence?” the Journal asked. “Sometimes Mr. Trump talks about giving farms and hotels a deportation pass, given how much they rely on immigrant labor.
By the way, these Hondurans and Nicaraguans were originally granted TPS after Hurricane Mitch tore through Central America in 1998. It’s reasonable to ask what’s so ‘temporary’ about this protection. On the other hand, if people have lived and worked in the U.S. under TPS for 30 years, what’s to be gained by kicking them out?”
The board backed its warning with findings from a recent Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas study that outlines the economic consequences of removing large numbers of immigrants. According to the study, “high interior deportation” could reduce U.S. economic growth by 0.83 percentage points this year and 0.84 in 2027.
A “self-deportation wave,” with half of TPS holders leaving voluntarily by mid-2026, would cut growth by 1.01 points this year and 0.45 in 2027. Under “mass interior deportation,” with up to a million annual removals, growth would shrink by 0.89 this year and 1.49 in 2027.
The agricultural sector, in particular, would suffer disproportionately, the board noted, since approximately 42 percent of its workforce lacks legal status. Despite tough rhetoric, Trump appears to recognize the dilemma. “Mr. Trump said last week that the White House is drawing up a plan to let farmers vouch for longtime, reliable alien employees,” the board concluded. “Farmers and the economy need them.”