In a bid to further crack down on immigration, Donald Trump has announced that he will revive the controversial family separations policy at the US-Mexico border if he is reelected. However, this stance has raised concerns among key allies who fear a repeat of the public backlash that occurred when the policy was first implemented in 2018. Five former Trump officials and conservative allies have expressed their reservations about the potential consequences of reintroducing the policy, citing the uproar it caused previously. They propose alternative measures such as keeping families together in residential centers for their hearings.

Despite the criticism, Trump remains determined to restore his hardline immigration policies from his previous presidency and promises to implement even stricter measures if he returns to the White House. Democratic President Joe Biden's reelection campaign has seized upon Trump's hardline stance on immigration as an example of the extreme policies the Republican would pursue. Civil rights activists are also alarmed by Trump's comments and have vowed to challenge any new version of the policy in court. They point to a settlement agreement signed by the Biden administration that would prohibit similar separations for the next eight years.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which brought a lawsuit against the Trump administration in response to the family separations, has stated that they will enforce this prohibition if separations are resumed. Trump's former officials and allies, including Tom Homan, a former Trump immigration official, and Chad Wolf, former acting homeland chief and current executive director of the America First Policy Institute, argue that alternative actions could achieve the same goal without facing public opposition. Homan suggests that there are multiple ways to handle the issue and emphasizes the need for safeguards to ensure swift family reunification.

Wolf acknowledges that while all options should be on the table, it is evident that the US public did not support family separations, and alternative measures, such as the 2019 remain in Mexico policy, could be more effective. Despite the potential legal and public challenges, Trump remains undeterred and sees family separations as an effective deterrent to prevent illegal border crossings. He believes that the policy dissuades migrants from attempting to enter the US. While the Trump campaign has not responded to requests for comment on this matter, it is clear that immigration policy will continue to be a central theme in his 2024 presidential nomination campaign.

Overall, the debate surrounding the revival of family separations at the US-Mexico border highlights the deep divides in immigration policy within the US. Biden's campaign and civil rights activists argue against separating families, emphasizing the cruelty and inhumanity of such policies. Trump's allies propose alternative measures, highlighting the need to secure the border and enforce immigration laws effectively. The legal battles and public opinion will play a crucial role in shaping the future of immigration policy in the US, especially if Trump secures another term in office.