Former GOP House Speaker Says Small Faction of the Party Is 'Rabid' About Mass Deportations, Predicts Trump Won't Be Able To Carry Them Out

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has expressed skepticism about the feasibility of implementing mass deportations under Donald Trump's potential presidency, highlighting the challenges of public opinion and the complexities of immigration policy and emphasizing a need for practical solutions that respect human concerns and national security.

"I'd be very surprised if you see any significant effort to change the game for people who are here legally," said Gingrich in an interview with The Guardian. "I just think there's a very small faction of the party that's rabid about this."

Gingrich also went on to predict that public support for such measures would "collapse" if stories began to come out "about mothers or babies or children being deported". Gingrich argued that any significant effort to deport individuals with legal status was unlikely, saying, "I'd be very surprised if you see any significant effort to change the game for people who are here legally."

Addressing the issue of Dreamers— undocumented individuals brought to the U.S. as children— Gingrich voiced support for granting them legal status calling the idea to deport individuals who have integrated into American society and made substantial contributions "nonsense"

"They've earned the right to be Americans," he stated, suggesting that resolving the status of Dreamers would align with both human decency and practical governance.

It's not the first time Gingrich has voices similar comments. During a separate interview on CBS's Face the Nation, the former House Speaker emphasized the importance of distinguishing between legal and illegal immigration. "We want people to be able to come to America if they do so legally," he said, describing legal immigration as integral to America's exceptional nature:

"It's very important to distinguish the two, and we want to strongly communicate that legal immigration in a variety of forms, refugees is one, and another is various work permits. But we want people to be able to come to America if they do so legally"

In the same interview, Gingrich commented on Trump's proposed policies, including limiting refugee admissions and removing birthright citizenship, acknowledging that some might be overreactions to broader immigration challenges. However, he underscored the need for policies grounded in practicality and compassion, warning that popular sentiment would ultimately dictate the success or failure of any immigration initiative.

"Americans largely support the deportation of criminal undocumented immigrants but oppose mass deportations that would affect Dreamers, law-abiding residents, and a significant portion of the American workforce," said Javier Palomarez, founder and CEO of the United States Hispanic Business Council's (USHBC) to The Latin Times.

"The greatest challenges to Donald Trump's deportation plans will come from the impact on the American economy and workforce," continued Palomarez. "While deporting violent criminals has broad bipartisan support, as demonstrated by the passage of the Laken Riley Act, deportations that disrupt critical industries such as agriculture, construction, hospitality, and STEM are likely to face increasing resistance."