President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he plans to declare a national emergency over border security and use the US military to carry out mass deportations of undocumented migrants.
Immigration was a key issue during the election campaign, with Trump vowing to deport millions and secure the border with Mexico following record numbers of illegal crossings during President Joe Biden’s administration.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump shared a post from a conservative activist stating that he was “prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.” Trump endorsed the post with the comment, “True!”
Trump’s return to the presidency was solidified on November 5 with his victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. He has been assembling a cabinet of immigration hardliners, including naming former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Chief Tom Homan as his “border czar.” Homan had previously spoken at the Republican National Convention in July, warning the millions of undocumented immigrants released under Biden’s administration to “start packing now.”
Authorities estimate that approximately 11 million people are living in the US illegally, and Trump’s deportation plan is expected to affect around 20 million families.
While managing the southern border with Mexico has been a longstanding issue for the US government, Trump has intensified concerns by referring to the migrant flow as an “invasion,” claiming migrants will commit violent crimes against Americans.
During his campaign, Trump frequently criticized undocumented immigrants, using provocative language about foreigners “poisoning the blood” of the United States and distorting immigration statistics and policies.
Trump has not provided specific details on his immigration crackdown but has repeatedly promised to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite deportations. Critics argue the law is outdated, pointing to its controversial use during World War II when Japanese-Americans were interned without due process.
US border patrol encounters with migrants illegally crossing from Mexico have now returned to levels seen in 2020, the final year of Trump’s first term, after a peak of 250,000 encounters in December 2023.
