President-elect Donald Trump confirmed plans to declare a national emergency on border security and utilize the U.S. military for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
Trump, who made immigration a central issue in his campaign, vowed to expel millions and secure the U.S.-Mexico border, citing a surge in illegal crossings under President Biden’s administration.
In a Truth Social post, Trump backed a message stating he’s “prepared to declare a national emergency and deploy military assets for mass deportations.”
Following his election victory over Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump has appointed immigration hardliners, including former ICE acting chief Tom Homan as “border czar.” Homan warned undocumented immigrants: “Start packing now.”
Trump’s plan targets up to 20 million families, despite estimates of 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S. He has pledged to use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite deportations, though critics argue the law is outdated.
The number of illegal border crossings has now stabilized to levels seen in 2020, following a record peak in December 2023.
