Michelle Obama: Immigration Crackdown ‘Keeps Me Up at Night’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Michelle Obama revealed that the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration crackdown has left her deeply unsettled, keeping her awake at night. On a recent podcast, she expressed fear for people of color and immigrants facing deportation without due process. Though protected herself, she said the emotional toll of current policies weighs heavily on her.
Michelle Obama on Immigration Fears: Quick Looks
- Spoke on “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast alongside her brother.
- Expressed concern about immigration enforcement under President Trump.
- Said the lack of due process in deportations “frightens” her.
- Compared today’s immigration policies to racially biased policing.
- Discussed emotional impact despite personal security as a former First Lady.
- Highlighted broader worries for people of color across America.
- Noted rising deportations under Trump, exceeding 100,000 in 2025.
- Contrasted current fear with Obama-era deportation enforcement practices.
Michelle Obama: Immigration Crackdown ‘Keeps Me Up at Night’
Deep Look
Michelle Obama Says Trump’s Immigration Crackdown ‘Keeps Me Up at Night’
WASHINGTON — Former First Lady Michelle Obama expressed deep concern about the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement, saying it causes her to lose sleep and fuels fears for communities of color across the U.S.
Speaking on the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast alongside her brother Craig Robinson, Obama warned that people are being deported without proper legal protections.
“These decisions aren’t being made with courts and with due process,” she said. “And that frightens me. It keeps me up at night.”
While she never mentioned President Donald Trump by name, the former First Lady made clear her anxiety stems from policies enacted during his second term.
“Now that we have leadership that is sort of indiscriminately determining who belongs and who doesn’t… that’s scary,” she added.
Personal Security Doesn’t Diminish Public Concern
Obama acknowledged her unique position—surrounded by a police escort, living with security—but said that doesn’t insulate her from the emotional burden.
“I drive around in a four-car motorcade. I’m Michelle Obama. But I still worry about my daughters in the world,” she said.
She also reflected on the faces she sees in everyday Americans. “I’m just looking in the faces of folks who could be a victim. I’m wondering how are you feeling, how do you feel standing on the bus stop?”
Obama drew parallels between today’s climate and racially biased encounters from her own family’s past. She recalled a time when her brother, Craig Robinson, was falsely accused of stealing a bike at just 12 years old.
“That same fear now extends to millions,” she said.
A Stark Policy Divide
Obama’s comments come amid a sweeping Trump administration deportation initiative that has already seen over 100,000 undocumented immigrants removed from the U.S. in 2025 alone. Tom Homan, Trump’s immigration “border czar,” recently said at a press briefing that an estimated 20 million undocumented immigrants remain in the country.
The rhetoric and scale of Trump’s policies stand in contrast with the Obama administration, which also had high deportation figures but often emphasized criminal enforcement and legal oversight. Between 2009 and 2011, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removed more than 385,000 individuals annually. The peak came in 2012, when over 409,000 deportations were carried out.
Then-Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano praised those efforts as record-breaking, citing the removal of convicted criminals. However, Michelle Obama now suggests the landscape has shifted toward what she views as indiscriminate enforcement without compassion.
Ongoing Impact and Broader Racial Fears
Michelle Obama emphasized that her concern isn’t limited to immigrants. “I worry for people of color all over this country,” she said. “And I don’t know that we will have the advocates to protect everybody.”
The podcast episode touched on parenting, race, and resilience, with Obama noting that “fear” is no longer about her personal safety, but about what she sees playing out in neighborhoods, especially in her hometown of Chicago.
“This fear is not just theoretical—it’s on the faces of the people I see every day,” she said.
Political Context and Waning Influence?
Obama’s remarks come as the political influence of the Obama family is increasingly questioned within some corners of the Democratic Party. Despite her continued popularity, analysts have noted the Obamas’ limited ability to move public opinion or shift key races during the 2024 election cycle.
Nevertheless, Michelle Obama remains a powerful voice on issues of equity, race, and justice. Her comments this week are a continuation of her long-standing concern over systemic inequality and community impact.
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