Incoming President Donald Trump announced on Monday his plan to declare a national emergency and deploy the military to execute his vision of large-scale deportations. Using his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump confirmed reports from a conservative activist who claimed insider knowledge about the forthcoming administration's immigration strategies.
Trump endorsed the activist's claims, labeling them as "true," particularly the statement that "GOOD NEWS: it is reported that the administration is poised to declare a national emergency and will utilize military resources to counteract the 'Biden invasion (of immigrants)' through a comprehensive deportation program."
Deporting a higher number of immigrants than any previous administration was a cornerstone of Trump's presidential campaign, although he initially provided few details on how this would be accomplished. However, by mid-October, Trump indicated his intention to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a measure historically employed during wartime, permitting the removal of foreign nationals without due process, as reported by Telemundo.
Legal and Historical Context
The news outlet explained that this law can be activated in scenarios of "declared war," invasion, or "predatory incursion" into U.S. territory. They noted, however, that "the United States has not officially declared war on any nation since 1942. Yet, Trump could potentially activate it without Congress's approval."
In recent remarks, Trump asserted that migrant caravans attempting to enter the U.S. are breaking apart and abandoning their efforts following his electoral victory. During a gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, the president-elect claimed that his win and the anticipation of his deportation plans have deterred migrants.
Impact on Migrant Caravans
"Caravans that used to gather up to 35,000 people are no longer making the journey. They're disbanding," Trump stated. He referred to a recent caravan of about 2,500 migrants, which had started moving from southern Mexico the previous week, reportedly scattering after the election results were announced.
In May, Trump declared that he would undertake the most extensive deportation operation in U.S. history if re-elected. In a conversation with Time magazine, the business magnate stressed the necessity of addressing what he terms "an unsustainable immigration crisis" for the nation, suggesting the use of police, military, and even the potential establishment of detention camps for immigrants.