Former President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans to use the US military to deport millions of undocumented immigrants if re-elected. He confirmed this on Truth Social, his social media platform, saying “TRUE!!!” in response to claims that he would declare a national emergency to lead a mass deportation program.
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly promised to involve the National Guard to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in deporting undocumented individuals. However, experts are questioning the feasibility of this plan, citing legal, logistical, and financial challenges.
How Would the Plan Work?
Trump has pledged to begin deportations on his first day back in office, January 20, 2025. However, deporting millions of people would require massive resources:
- Manpower Issues: ICE currently has around 20,000 agents and support staff, which may not be enough to locate and deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
- High Costs: The financial burden of such an operation would be significant, but Trump stated in an interview with NBC News that cost would not be a deterrent.
As for Trump’s mass deportation plans, Trump’s team has shared few details about how they would execute this plan. He plans to declare a national emergency to authorize the deployment of troops on US soil, which could include assistance from the Department of Defense (DOD).
Key Appointments for Immigration Policies
Trump has already chosen loyal allies to oversee immigration and deportation policies:
- President-elect Donald Trump nominates Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- He appoints Tom Homan, a former ICE chief, as “border tsar” to finalize the deportation plan.
Homan stated that the success of the plan would depend on the resources allocated to the involved agencies.
Legal Challenges Expected
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has already filed lawsuits against ICE to gain more information about the deportation plans. The group also plans to launch legal challenges to block the mass deportation efforts.
Previous Deportation Numbers
During Trump’s first term, approximately 1.5 million people were deported, both from the border and the US interior. The Biden administration has deported about 1.1 million people as of early 2024, with numbers on track to match the previous administration’s total.
As Trump continues to announce his plans and key appointments, many are watching closely to see how these controversial proposals will unfold.
