Donald Trump, the 2024 U.S. President-Elect, has sparked alarm among illegal immigrants following his victory in the presidential elections. Trump has declared his intention to implement mass deportations as one of his first actions upon assuming office.
On Monday, November 18, Trump responded to a social media post by Judicial Watch’s Tom Fitton, who suggested the incoming administration is preparing to declare a national emergency and use military assets to deport illegal immigrants. Trump confirmed this by writing, “TRUE!!!”
Trump’s Plan for Mass Deportation -What to expect soon
During a rally at Madison Square Garden in the closing days of the presidential race, Trump stated:
“On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out. I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered, and we will put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then kick them the hell out of our country as fast as possible.”
The President-Elect emphasized that any person or family living in the U.S. without legal documentation will be considered an illegal resident and subject to deportation. There are currently an estimated 11 million unauthorized migrants living in the U.S. without legal immigration status. Removing them could cost billions of dollars annually, according to estimates from the American Immigration Council.
Trump’s plan includes declaring a national emergency and deploying the military to execute the mass deportations. He has also vowed to mobilize the National Guard to assist with the effort and suggested redeploying troops stationed overseas to strengthen the U.S.-Mexico border.
In his early appointments, Trump has selected several immigration hard-liners for key positions. Notable appointments include South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security (pending Senate confirmation) and former Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan as “border czar.” Homan has previously outlined a vision for mass deportations, prioritizing criminals and national security threats but not ruling out the deportation of families.
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Throughout his campaign, Trump pledged to make immigration enforcement a cornerstone of his administration. His rhetoric and early moves have sent shivers down the spines of many illegal immigrants, who fear being affected by the upcoming deportation measures.
