President-elect Donald Trump has announced a firm stance on illegal immigration, promising vigorous enforcement measures.
According to The Epoch Times, in a recent announcement, Trump emphasized the inevitability of mass deportations of illegal immigrants during his forthcoming administration.
During a thorough discussion on NBC News last Thursday, President-elect Trump detailed his administration's approach toward illegal immigration, which will focus heavily on deportations. Trump stated that the financial ramifications are secondary to the necessity of these actions, which are aimed at expelling criminals and "drug lords" who are perceived as threats to national safety.
Despite the emphasis on deportations, Trump vocalized his support for legal immigration, affirming the importance of a robust and secure border that simultaneously encourages lawful entry into the country. He stressed, "We have to make the border strong and powerful, and we have to—at the same time, we want people to come into our country," showcasing his dual approach to immigration policy.
As forecasted during his campaign, Trump initially cited the deportation of around 11 million unauthorized residents but has now adjusted that figure to possibly as high as 21 million. This revision underscores a significant expansion of the campaign’s original immigration enforcement scope.
Vice President-elect JD Vance also addressed the immigration issue, particularly highlighting its economic dimensions, such as housing. He argued that removing illegal immigrants would alleviate housing demand and thereby reduce costs for American citizens. During a debate with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Vance claimed that illegal immigrants contribute to overburdened public services such as schools and hospitals.
JD Vance explained the practical aspects of the planned deportations, stating, "You start with what’s achievable." He suggests a gradual enforcement strategy, prioritizing violent offenders and those impacting American wage standards.
Adviser Stephen Miller indicated that Republican-controlled states would be instrumental in executing the deportation plans, projecting a collective effort involving the National Guard and cooperation from GOP governors. President-elect Trump also mentioned potentially utilizing the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as a legal basis for these actions.
Considering the substantial scale of this undertaking, Trump discussed deploying the National Guard to enhance deportation efforts, reflecting the administration's commitment to strengthen immigration enforcement across the board.
Policy analysts and economists have criticized the practical impact of these immigration policies. Economists have particularly contested JD Vance's assertions that cutting down illegal immigrant numbers would significantly impact housing costs, pointing instead to issues like underbuilding as primary causes of housing inflation.
Andrew Arthur, affiliated with the Center for Immigration Studies, delineated the structural strategy necessary for such extensive deportations: "There’s no way you could do it. The first thing you have to do is seal the border and then you can address the interior," emphasizing that border security is prerequisite to internal enforcement.
President-elect Trump underscored the humanitarian aspect of his immigration plan in a poignant statement, underscoring his resolve to address safety concerns posed by dangerous elements within the illegal immigrant population:
When people have been killed and murdered when drug lords have destroyed countries. And now they’re going to go back to those countries because they’re not staying here. There is no price tag.
The Trump administration's plan not only stresses significant changes to immigration policy but also outlines the logistical and economic justifications for these measures. The discourse on immigration reform is poised to remain a central issue as Trump prepares to take office, underlining his commitment to 'make the border strong' while balancing the facets of legal and illegal migrations.
