National Emergency: Trump Raves, Vows Mass Deportations, Targets Birthright Citizenship

President-elect Donald Trump has declared his intent to deport all immigrants living in the United States without legal status, emphasizing that immigration enforcement will be a top priority during his administration.

Trump described his approach as a response to what he considers a national emergency, set to take effect after his inauguration on January 20.

The Department of Homeland Security reports that over 11 million individuals were residing in the U.S. without proper documentation as of January 2022, a figure that may have since grown. Trump stressed the importance of adhering to the law, stating, “It’s a difficult decision, but there are rules and regulations that must be followed.”

While committed to rigorous enforcement, Trump signaled a possible willingness to negotiate protections for so-called “Dreamers” – individuals brought to the U.S. as children without proper documentation. Efforts during his first term to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which shields this group from deportation, were halted by the Supreme Court.

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Trump also suggested revisiting the principle of birthright citizenship, which guarantees citizenship to individuals born on U.S. soil regardless of their parents’ immigration status. This policy, rooted in the 14th Amendment and upheld by an 1898 Supreme Court decision, could face challenges under his administration.

Implementing such sweeping immigration measures would demand significant funding. Estimates from the American Immigration Council place the annual cost of deporting all unauthorized immigrants at approximately $88 billion. Trump’s team, including his designated border policy leader Tom Homan, has called for increased Congressional funding to support these initiatives.

Despite acknowledging the likelihood of legal obstacles, Trump remains steadfast in his commitment to stricter immigration policies, framing it as a critical step to uphold national laws and security.