The US has deported millions of people, including in ICE raids, over the past 20 years, under both parties. Notably, the Obama administration built 'cages' (AP coined the term) for children of illegals.

The notion that this is new, or that it is a single side, is of course an attempt to paper over historical data which is readily accessible.

Authoritarian regimes tend to have no checks and balances, whereas the other two branches of government have both repeatedly restrained the executive this year, through both law and judicial rulings. They also tend to clamp down on free speech, which isn't happening (but is in Europe), or disarm the population (try owning a firearm in China or North Korea).