By Efe Onodjae
A senior lecturer in the Department of History and International Studies at Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Dapo Thomas, has said that the immigration policies of United States President Donald Trump are increasingly alienating many Americans and portraying the country as drifting away from its democratic ideals.
Speaking at a Rotary Club meeting in Ikeja, Lagos, Prof. Thomas noted that although Trump was largely elected on domestic policy promises, particularly on immigration control, many of his supporters are now dissatisfied with the manner in which those policies are being implemented.
“Americans voted for Trump mainly on domestic issues, not foreign adventures. Immigration was central to his campaign because people felt insecure and believed he would handle it better,” he said.
According to the LASU scholar, the challenge is not the enforcement of immigration laws itself, but the approach being adopted.
“He is enforcing it indiscriminately. There is no clear focus or proper profiling. People are reportedly being picked up on the streets without adequate investigation, and that is not what many Americans expected,” he said.
Prof. Thomas added that available data suggest the crackdown is not primarily targeting major immigration offenders such as visa overstayers, but appears selective and arbitrary, creating widespread fear among residents.
“In one instance, an American citizen was reportedly killed. That alone shows a serious breakdown in the system. It is no longer about illegal immigrants alone,” he said.
He warned that the current approach is damaging the global image of the United States, which has long been regarded as a symbol of democracy and the rule of law.
“What the world is witnessing now are allegations of racial profiling, abuse of rights and authoritarian tendencies. This creates the impression that America is moving away from its democratic foundations,” he stated.
Prof. Thomas said many Americans are uncomfortable with how their country is being perceived internationally, stressing that democratic societies are expected to uphold due process.
“They want arrests to be carried out properly — with profiling, verification of identities, investigation of criminal records and strict adherence to the law, not random arrests, detentions or rights violations,” he said.
He also noted that public dissatisfaction appears to be reflected in declining approval ratings for Trump, with opinion polls in recent months showing a downward trend.
“Beyond immigration, inflation remains a major concern for Americans. Many are questioning what they are gaining, as economic pressures have not eased significantly,” he added.
Prof. Thomas concluded that unless U.S. immigration policies are restructured to align with democratic principles and public expectations, internal discontent will continue to grow, further weakening America’s moral authority on the global stage.
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