Donald Trump, the president-elect, has vowed to implement the largest mass deportation program in U.S. history, targeting millions of undocumented immigrants. With concerns over record border crossings under President Joe Biden’s administration, Trump has pledged to immediately use the military to carry out deportations, emphasizing his commitment to securing the U.S.-Mexico border. He has also pledged to ban sanctuary cities across the country.
Trump’s recent statements on his Truth Social platform emphasized his readiness to declare a national emergency to address what he calls the “Biden invasion,” proposing to use military resources to reverse the surge in illegal immigration.
One of Trump’s major proposals is to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite the deportation process. The act, originally enacted during wartime, allows the U.S. president to remove individuals from countries at war with the U.S. It has historically been used in conflicts such as World War II, where Japanese-Americans were interned in camps. Critics warn that invoking this law today could lead to violations of civil liberties and the wrongful internment of individuals.
In line with his deportation plan, Trump’s top immigration adviser, Stephen Miller, has outlined plans to use military funds to build “vast holding facilities” for undocumented immigrants while their deportation cases are processed. The facilities would be managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), further solidifying Trump’s hardline stance on immigration.
Trump has also appointed staunch immigration hardliners to key positions in his cabinet, including Tom Homan, the former head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as his “border czar,” and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as DHS Secretary.
Trump’s immigration plans have sparked outrage among critics, who argue that they would result in the mass separation of families, economic disruption, and human rights violations. Advocates for immigrant rights warn that the plan would disproportionately impact millions of undocumented immigrants, many of whom contribute to the economy and society.
Katherine Yon Ebright, counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice, condemned the use of the Alien Enemies Act, calling it a “staggering abuse.” Legal experts also highlight the potential for “collateral arrests” of undocumented immigrants who may not have criminal records.
With conservative dominance in the U.S. Supreme Court, Trump’s legal challenges—such as his use of the Alien Enemies Act—are likely to face less opposition. However, the ongoing debate over the legality of these actions could continue in courts across the country. Democratic leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, are already preparing to fight back against Trump’s policies, with multiple states poised to challenge his immigration measures.
During his first term, Trump frequently used inflammatory rhetoric about undocumented immigrants, portraying them as a threat to American society. As his second term approaches, his rhetoric and policies continue to stoke division over immigration, with border issues remaining a central focus of his political platform.
