President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed plans to use the US military for a mass deportation of undocumented migrants, in response to a conservative commentator’s tweet. He has pledged to mobilise the National Guard to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with the goal of executing the largest mass deportation in US history starting on his first day in office on January 20, 2025. However, logistical challenges such as lack of personnel and financial costs remain obstacles.
Trump’s team, including nominees like Kristi Noem for Department of Homeland Security and Tom Homan for “border tsar”, have not disclosed details of the plan. The strategy may involve declaring a national emergency to authorize deployment of troops on US soil, with discussions ongoing about the role of the US Department of Defense. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has sued ICE for more information on the deportation plan, with intentions to block the mass deportation through legal challenges.
Under the previous Trump administration, around 1.5 million people were deported over four years. The Biden administration, which had deported approximately 1.1 million people up to February 2024, is on track to match those numbers. Despite the legal and logistical challenges, Trump remains determined to move forward with the mass deportation plan, with efforts to finalize details ongoing.
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