President-elect Donald Trump has reaffirmed his intention to declare a national emergency on border security and deploy the U.S. military to execute a large-scale deportation of undocumented migrants. The announcement was made on Monday via his social media platform, Truth Social, further solidifying immigration as a cornerstone of his administration’s priorities.
In a post amplifying a statement from a conservative activist, Trump wrote, “True!” The statement suggested he was “prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.”
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to deport millions of undocumented migrants, portraying immigration as a dire threat to the country. He often claimed that migrants were causing an “invasion” and linked them to violent crimes. Critics have dismissed these claims as inflammatory and not reflective of actual immigration statistics.
Trump’s cabinet appointments highlight his firm approach to immigration. Among them is Tom Homan, former acting chief of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who has been tapped as the administration’s “border czar.” During the Republican National Convention in July, Homan issued a stark warning: “I got a message to the millions of illegal immigrants that Joe Biden’s released in our country: You better start packing now.”
Authorities estimate that approximately 11 million people are currently living in the United States without legal status. Trump’s proposed deportation plan could affect as many as 20 million families, raising concerns about the humanitarian and logistical challenges of such an operation.
Trump has indicated his willingness to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, an archaic law that critics say is outdated. The law was last used during World War II to detain Japanese-Americans in internment camps without due process. Critics argue that reviving this law for mass deportations could have severe constitutional implications.
Trump’s plans also include stabilizing the U.S.-Mexico border, where crossings spiked to a record 250,000 in December 2023 before declining to levels seen in 2020, the final year of Trump’s first term.
Despite the controversy surrounding his rhetoric and policies, Trump’s supporters argue that his measures are necessary to restore order at the border and protect American citizens. “The impact of this program will be transformative,” Homan declared. “We’re taking our country back.”
As Trump prepares to assume office, the debate over immigration is expected to intensify, with significant legal, political, and societal challenges on the horizon.
