ROUND UP

Roundup is a visual commentary on the mass deportations sweeping the United States, where the line between legal and illegal status becomes increasingly blurred. This editorial captures the reality of deportation, focusing on the disproportionate impact on brown communities, regardless of their legal standing. The images reveal the trauma and upheaval experienced by families torn apart, communities facing instability, and an economy in flux. As the nation’s workforce shrinks, industries like agriculture, construction, and hospitality bear the brunt, driving up costs and deepening inequalities. Roundup is a stark reminder of the human cost behind the statistics.

In early 2025, the United States embarked on an unprecedented mass deportation campaign under President Donald Trump’s administration. Within the first week of January, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted over 7,300 deportations, including 2,373 removals by ICE and 5,000 by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

This aggressive policy has led to significant reductions in migrant entries, with daily encounters dropping from 8,000 to just 303.

The administration has also expanded the use of expedited removals, allowing ICE to swiftly deport certain immigrants without judicial review.

The impact of these policies is evident in various industries. The American Immigration Council warns that deportations could lead to worker shortages in sectors like construction, agriculture, and hospitality, potentially causing inflationary pressures and higher prices for homes and food.

Roundup was photographed in October of 2024. Each image was released one at a time in reverse order for the last nine days leading up to the 2024 presidential election. The final post was a black page with just the word “VOTE” in white text.