In a strongly worded post on social media, [Donald Trump] said immigration had eroded living conditions in the United States and that he would remove or denaturalise migrants who “undermine domestic tranquillity[sic].” as he put it.—BBC Newshour, 11/28/25

Going back as far as Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign of 1980, I can remember someone saying that if “X” were elected, they might have to leave the United States. Those kind of remarks have only increased with Donald Trump’s ascendence to the throne, er, White House.

I smirk (mentally, at least) when I hear this sentiment. It’s hypocritical, since those who say it never seem to actually move out of the country. It’s just a patriotic, brave-sounding thing to say. But what kind of patriotism is it to abandon the country one professes to love when its leadership turns foul…especially when the leaver is in no real danger of physical harm or imprisonment by staying? And what kind of sacrifice is it, when the proclaimed leaver is of the economic class that can easily afford to leave, and leave the rest behind to suffer? If you want to retire to a life of wine, sunshine, and cheap rent in Portugal, then bless you, but don’t pretend it’s a brave political statement.

That’s how I used to feel. But now something has changed. The menace from on high has become more immediate and personal for me. Our president has threatened to deport even naturalized U.S. citizens.

Now this has caught my attention. See, I know a lot of naturalized citizens. Some of my best friends are naturalized citizens! More to the point, I, like our president, am married to a naturalized citizen. And whither she goeth, I goeth too, baby!

Now, as far as I know, she does not “undermine domestic tranquility” (which is spelled with one L, Mister “stable genius” President), but who determines that? Recent experience shows that anything can be grounds for deportation, from criticizing Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, to loitering near a hardware store.

But if I do have to follow my wife to her native Taiwan, I think I’ll actually enjoy it. Sure, they got earthquakes, monsoons, flooding, and the constant threat of invasion by a certain bellicose superpower. But on the other hand, the food is great, as is the public transportation. And…oh yeah, it’s still a democracy!

(image generated by AI)