Former US President Donald Trump has pledged to initiate the “largest mass deportation effort” in the country’s history if re-elected in 2024, targeting millions of undocumented migrants nationwide.
In a recent interview with TIME Magazine, Trump outlined plans to use local law enforcement, the National Guard, and the military, drawing parallels to the sweeping deportations of “Operation Wetback” during the Eisenhower administration, which expelled over a million migrants in 1954.
While Trump’s 2024 campaign has not elaborated on the logistical requirements of such a massive operation, former US officials from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were quoted as saying by the New York Post that it would necessitate a substantial expansion of resources.
According to Eric Ruark, director of research at NumbersUSA, the estimate of “nearly 20 million” undocumented migrants in the U.S. proposed by the Trump campaign is plausible, considering the surge in migration under the Biden administration, surpassing the Census Bureau’s official figure of 11 million.
Tom Homan, former acting ICE director, underlined the need for increased staffing, detention facilities, and transportation contracts to facilitate expedited deportations. While prioritising the removal of criminals and national security threats, Homan emphasised that no undocumented individual would be exempt from deportation.
In anticipation of a potential second Trump administration, Jon Feere, former ICE chief of staff, highlighted the agency’s readiness for heightened enforcement but stressed the necessity of additional personnel and detention space. He underscored the multifaceted nature of immigration enforcement, involving various government agencies such as Health and Human Services, the State Department, and USCIS. Feere also stressed potential diplomatic challenges in repatriating migrants to countries unwilling to accept them.
He proposed leveraging Section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to impose visa sanctions on non-cooperative nations, advocating for a robust foreign policy approach to secure cooperation. However, obstacles may arise from sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Feere warned of increased enforcement actions in such jurisdictions, signaling a potential escalation in ICE operations nationwide.
Despite the logistical complexities and political hurdles, proponents of Trump’s deportation agenda remain steadfast in their commitment to curbing illegal immigration. They advocate for a comprehensive government approach, combining enforcement measures with diplomatic initiatives to address the root causes of migration and enhance border security.
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