President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to deliver on one of his most controversial campaign promises: the mass deportation of illegal immigrants. According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Trump’s advisers are exploring the possibility of using military resources to implement a large-scale deportation operation once he takes office.
Central to the plan is a potential national emergency declaration, which would enable the Trump administration to redirect Pentagon assets for immigration enforcement. This strategy would not only accelerate deportations but also provide the infrastructure needed to detain large numbers of individuals awaiting removal from the country.
The report outlines how invoking a national emergency could pave the way for the use of military facilities and personnel to assist in detaining and deporting illegal immigrants. Such a move would mark an unprecedented expansion of the military’s role in domestic law enforcement.
Trump has repeatedly signaled his willingness to invoke the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime statute dating back to 1798. The law empowers the president to detain and deport non-citizens from nations with which the U.S. is at war. While the U.S. is not currently at war with any specific country linked to illegal immigration, Trump’s legal team is reportedly exploring how the act could be adapted to fit the current immigration crisis.
The act’s broad powers would allow for the deportation of non-citizens over the age of 14 deemed a threat to national security, providing the Trump administration with a legal framework for mass deportations.
In addition to mass deportations, Trump is committed to reviving construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, a cornerstone of his first term. The Biden administration halted wall construction in 2021, but Trump has vowed to not only restart the project but also expand it.
During his campaign, Trump declared that completing the border wall would be one of his first acts upon returning to the White House. By combining the wall’s completion with a robust deportation effort, Trump aims to address what he describes as a national security and humanitarian crisis at the southern border.
Mass deportations have been a key element of Trump’s immigration policy since his first presidential campaign in 2016. His “America First” agenda has consistently focused on reducing illegal immigration, tightening border security, and prioritizing American jobs.
While his supporters view these policies as essential to restoring law and order, critics argue that mass deportations would cause widespread disruption and human suffering. Opponents also contend that using military assets for deportation efforts could blur the lines between civilian and military roles, raising constitutional concerns.
Implementing a plan of this magnitude will undoubtedly face significant legal and political hurdles. Critics have already raised questions about the legality of repurposing military assets for immigration enforcement. Some legal experts argue that such actions could violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of the military in domestic law enforcement.
Additionally, any attempt to declare a national emergency for immigration purposes would likely trigger immediate legal challenges. The courts have previously blocked similar efforts, including Trump’s 2019 emergency declaration to fund the border wall.
On the political front, the plan is sure to spark fierce opposition from Democrats and immigration advocacy groups. Congressional Democrats have already signaled their intention to resist any efforts to expand immigration enforcement through executive action.
Advocacy groups are likely to ramp up efforts to attempt protect vulnerable populations, including those covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The program, which provides temporary legal status to individuals brought to the U.S. as children, has been a frequent target of Trump’s immigration policies.
As Trump prepares to take office, his administration’s immigration agenda is shaping up to be as aggressive as promised. By potentially involving the military in mass deportations, Trump is signaling his intent to use every tool at his disposal to crack down on illegal immigration.