Few political figures have shaped U.S. immigration policy as destructively as Stephen Miller. During Donald Trump’s first term, Miller served as Senior Adviser and Speechwriter. Now he’s back as Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff and continues to play a major role behind the scenes. 

From white nationalist sympathies to cruelty-as-policy tactics, Miller’s record is a roadmap of ideological extremism. If you’re not familiar with his messy history, here’s what you need to know:

1. Architect of Family Separation

Miller was the chief architect of the Trump Administration “zero tolerance” immigration policy, which led to the forced separation of thousands of children from their parents at the southern border. According to Vanity Fair, “Stephen actually enjoys seeing those pictures at the border.” His own words on the policy? He called it a “simple decision.”

Even now, hundreds of children remain separated from their families. The policy was condemned by the United Nations and numerous human rights organizations as cruel, unnecessary, and a violation of international law. 

2. White Nationalist Ties

During Trump’s first term, leaked emails revealed that Miller frequently shared white nationalist talking points and publications, including content from VDARE and the Camp of the Saints – a notoriously racist and anti-immigrant novel embraced by far-right extremists.

The Southern Poverty Law Center characterized Miller’s communications as “open white nationalism.” Over 100 members of Congress called for his resignation; however, Trump stood behind him along with many of the GOP. 

3. A Career Built on Bigotry

Before entering the White House, Miller worked under Senator Jeff Sessions, helping craft policies aimed at rolling back civil rights, weakening voting protections, and targeting marginalized communities. His work in government has consistently targeted people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ Americans. 

In 2023, Miller’s legal group, America First Legal, filed a complaint accusing Kellogg’s of “politicizing and sexualizing its products” simply for releasing a Pride-themed Pop-Tarts box and featuring RuPaul’s image on Cheez-Its. That’s the kind of manufactured outrage Miller uses to push his far-right agenda. His rhetoric directly fuels discrimination and violence against already vulnerable groups. 

4. Ethical Conflicts with Anti-Immigration Groups

During his first term in the White House, Miller routinely collaborated with anti-immigration hate groups like the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) and the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), both of which have deep ties to white nationalist ideologies. 

Miller elevated their ideas into national policy, blurring the line between governance and extremist ideology, resulting in sweeping deportations and a normalization of xenophobia at the highest levels of government. 

5. Long History of Harmful Rhetoric

Miller’s inflammatory tone isn’t new, it dates back to his days at Duke University, where he penned right-wing columns attacking diversity, tolerance, and liberalism. In one article, he mocked Duke’s efforts toward inclusion, calling the school’s climate a “shameful deficiency.”

That same combative style carried into his work for Trump, helping shape speeches and policies that escalated racial and cultural divides. His influence isn’t just about policy– it’s about poisonously reshaping the national conversation.

Stephen Miller is a central figure in shaping the Trump Administration’s agenda. From enabling state violence against immigrant families to promoting white nationalist rhetoric in government, his career is a warning of what happens when bigotry gains institutional power.