President-elect Donald Trump confirms plans to deploy military assets to carry out a large-scale deportation program, signaling major shifts in US immigration policy.
President-elect Donald Trump has reaffirmed his controversial promise to use the U.S. military to execute mass deportations of undocumented migrants once he assumes office. On Monday, Trump responded with “TRUE!!!” on his social media network, Truth Social, confirming that he would declare a national emergency to enable military assets to lead a comprehensive deportation campaign, as initially suggested by a conservative commentator.
During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to mobilize the National Guard to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in deportations. His latest comment adds clarity to his plan, which has raised numerous questions about its execution. Trump has emphasized that deportations would begin on his first day in office, which is January 20, 2025. However, experts have expressed doubt about the feasibility of such a large-scale operation, given the complexities and logistical challenges involved.
Even if a future U.S. administration could legally proceed with these plans, the task of identifying and deporting millions of undocumented migrants is a monumental one. ICE, which has approximately 20,000 agents, would likely struggle to locate and track such a large population, and the cost of the operation could be substantial. Despite these concerns, Trump has insisted that financial constraints will not impede his efforts.
As he prepares to take office, Trump is making appointments for key roles overseeing immigration policy. He has nominated Kristi Noem, a loyal ally, to head the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and appointed former ICE chief Tom Homan as his “border tsar.” These appointments signal his commitment to enforcing strict immigration policies, though his team has released limited details on how the deportation program will be implemented.
One key component of Trump’s plan is to declare a national emergency, which would grant him the authority to deploy military forces on U.S. soil. Homan, in an interview with Fox News, indicated that he would meet with Trump in Florida to finalize details of the plan, including determining the role the Department of Defense (DOD) will play. “Can DOD assist? Because DOD can take a lot off our plate,” Homan explained, noting that the pace of deportations would depend on the resources allocated to the agencies.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has already taken legal action to challenge the plan, filing a lawsuit against ICE for more information on how the mass deportations will be carried out. The ACLU has pledged to continue pursuing legal challenges aimed at blocking the program.
During Trump’s previous term in office, approximately 1.5 million people were deported, both from the U.S. border and within the interior of the country. The Biden administration, which has deported around 1.1 million people through February 2024, is on track to match the deportation levels of the previous administration, according to available statistics.
Trump’s plans to use military forces for deportations reflect his tough stance on immigration, but questions about implementation and potential legal hurdles remain central to the ongoing debate over his proposals.
