Topline
Former President Donald Trump confirmed Monday he is prepared to declare a national emergency and use military assets to deport undocumented migrants—revealing new details on how he plans to carry out his aggressive immigration plans.
Key Facts
Trump reposted a Nov. 8 Truth Social post by his ally Tom Fitton, the head of the conservative Judicial Watch organization, that said Trump’s administration is “prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.”
Trump captioned the repost, “TRUE!!!”
Trump ratcheted up his anti-immigration rhetoric during his most recent White House run, making it a central focus of his campaign—he has promised to deport all undocumented migrants without providing details on how he plans to execute the program, but has repeatedly floated the possibility of using military forces to remove people.
Trump has also indicated he would target undocumented migrants with criminal backgrounds first, promising the “largest deportation program of criminals in the history of America.”
Tangent
Trump in 2019 declared a national emergency at the southern border through executive order to circumvent Congress after it rejected funding his border wall. He vetoed Congress’ attempts to end the emergency, which required a two-thirds majority to override his veto power. Presidents can declare national emergencies under the National Emergencies Act of 1976, which gives broad discretion to the president in determining what constitutes a national emergency and activates additional powers under hundreds of provisions under federal law. National emergencies expire within a year unless the president reauthorizes them. Dozens still remain in effect from previous presidencies, including one declared by former President George W. Bush after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Big Number
11 million. That’s the number of people the Department of Homeland Security estimates are in the U.S. illegally, a figure that indicates Trump’s mass deportation plan could face significant logistical hurdles.
Key Background
Trump’s immigration plans include ramping up deportations, reinstituting a “travel ban” for certain countries, blocking federal funding to sanctuary cities, prohibiting migrants from staying in the U.S. while their immigration cases are pending and closing the border to asylum seekers, among other policies detailed under his “Agenda47” on his campaign website. Trump has also said he will use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport undocumented immigrants—an 18th century wartime law that allows for the removal of all citizens and associates of countries the U.S. is at war with. The president-elect and his advisers have suggested the military or National Guard may play a role in these plans, with key Trump aide Stephen Miller telling The New York Times last year the military could construct large-scale camps to hold people slated for deportation. He’s also called for ending birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants, a move many legal experts say is barred by the 14th Amendment. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, Trump’s pick for Department of Homeland Security Secretary, and former ICE director Tom Homan, his new “border czar,” will help spearhead Trump’s immigration policies.
Further Reading
What Is Agenda47? What To Know About Trump’s Policy Agenda After Election Win (Forbes)
Trump Wants To Use This 18th Century Law To Deport Undocumented Immigrants (Forbes)
Who Is Kristi Noem? What To Know About Trump’s Likely DHS Secretary—And Her Immigration Stances (Forbes)
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