There seems to be an inconsistency in people opposing Trump on the basis of respecting law and order, but also opposing Trump's plans for border control and mass deportations

A common sentiment among Trump's opponents is that it is imperative that the President uphold, respect, and defend the law.

This is completely fair enough. I agree.

But the same people tend to take issue with Trump's hard-line stance on illegal immigration. I am trying to understand how these two positions are consistent.

During the 2016 election campaign when Trump first proposed more stringent border security and pursuing existing illegal immigrants, it was one of the more controversial policy positions among opponents. It was seen as authoritarian, nationalistic, and/or racist.

Fast forward to now, one of the most widely criticised policies for the next Presidential term has been Trump's promise of "mass deportations" and going after illegal immigrants. This has even been denounced as fascist.

But at the end of the day, immigration law is part of the law. If a President is to uphold, respect, and defend the law, then they are duty-bound to do precisely that.

It is completely reasonable to see these laws as immoral and oppose upholding them. It is also completely reasonable to oppose Trump on the basis that they he doesn't uphold the law. But it seems to be inconsistent to hold both of these views simultaneously.