Trump confirms plan to use military for mass deportation

President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday his intention to declare a national emergency over border security and deploy the U.S. military to execute a large-scale deportation of undocumented immigrants.

Immigration, a centerpiece of Trump’s campaign, was a rallying cry as he vowed to deport millions and address the surge of illegal border crossings that occurred under President Joe Biden’s administration.

On Truth Social, Trump shared a post from a conservative activist asserting he was "prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program." Trump affirmed the claim by adding, “True!”

Trump’s victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris on November 5 has marked his return to the presidency. Since then, he has named hardliners to his team, including former ICE acting chief Tom Homan as “border czar.”

At the Republican National Convention in July, Homan issued a warning to undocumented immigrants: “To the millions of illegal immigrants Joe Biden released into our country: You better start packing now.”

It is estimated that around 11 million people reside in the U.S. without documentation. Trump’s deportation strategy could directly impact approximately 20 million families, according to experts.

While the U.S. has long grappled with managing the southern border, Trump has heightened tensions by describing the situation as an “invasion,” claiming migrants threaten American lives. Throughout his campaign, he employed charged rhetoric, asserting that undocumented immigrants “poison the blood” of the country and often presented misleading immigration statistics.

Trump has yet to provide detailed plans for his proposed crackdown but frequently referenced invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 during his campaign to expedite deportations. Critics argue the law is outdated, citing its use during World War II to detain Japanese-Americans without due process.

The U.S.-Mexico border has seen fluctuating migrant activity. While illegal crossings peaked at 250,000 in December 2023, current numbers are similar to those seen in 2020, the final year of Trump’s first term. As Trump prepares for his presidency, his approach to immigration is likely to spark fierce debate and widespread implications.