Former President Donald Trump has promised to enact the most stringent immigration policies in American history if he wins the 2024 presidential election.
Speaking at a rally in Florida, Mr. Trump outlined a plan that includes mass deportations, the use of the military for immigration enforcement, and the termination of several policies he claims facilitate illegal immigration.
Trump’s strategy to deal with illegal immigration
Mr. Trump outlined his strategy, which he described as necessary to “stop the invasion” at the U.S. border.
The former president has pledged to initiate what he called the “largest deportation operation” in the country’s history, targeting between 15 to 20 million undocumented immigrants. He referred to the Eisenhower-era “Operation Wetback” as a model.
Mr. Trump also suggested deploying the military to aid in deportation efforts, potentially bypassing laws that restrict military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
He said he aims to end what he referred to as “deportation immunity,” suggesting a crackdown on sanctuary cities and policies that might shield undocumented immigrants from deportation.
Mr. Trump promised to suspend refugee resettlement and reinstate policies to disqualify most migrants from asylum, significantly reducing legal pathways for entry.
Labeling it as a tool for “smuggling,” Trump vowed to terminate the CBP One app, which was designed to manage border crossings.
Reaction
Legal experts have reacted to Mr. Trump’s proposals, questioning their feasibility and legality. The use of the military for civilian law enforcement, for instance, directly challenges the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the military’s role in domestic affairs.