The President-elect also confirmed he will use the military to assist in deportations.
Following through on one of his most prominent campaign pledges, President-elect Donald Trump says he will declare a state of emergency with respect to the U.S.-Mexico border to pave the way for operations that will result in the deportation of millions of foreign nationals in the United States illegally.
Demonstrating the importance of the issue to Trump, most of his first announced staff and Cabinet picks were in departments and offices handling national security and border security. Among Trump’s first personnel announcements were South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for Secretary of Homeland Security and former ICE head Tom Homan as border czar.
Days before election day, Trump promised at a rally that he “will launch the largest deportation program in American history.” While on the campaign trail, Trump would frequently make this pledge while noting he would first focus on illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds.
While confirming his intent to declare a national emergency, Trump indicated he will use the American military to assist in the deportation operation. While opponents have condemned Trump’s intended actions, National Guard assets have been used to support border security for years, though it is “generally limited to background logistics” according to The Hill.
This will not be the first time Trump declared a national emergency on immigration. He originally issued emergency orders during his first term to begin construction of the 30-foot-tall wall along the border.
Trump’s incoming press secretary, Karoline Leavitt told NPR “The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail. He will deliver.”
Even before taking office, litigation over the deportation of millions of illegal immigrants has begun. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit today demanding answers to “requests for basic information.” Despite the imminent legal challenges, the Trump team’s goal is to “craft executive orders that can withstand legal challenges” that derailed efforts to curb migration during his first term.
