Trump Unveils Plan for Mass Deportations, Ending Birthright Citizenship

United States President-elect Donald Trump has revealed plans for a mass deportation of all immigrants living in the U.S. illegally during his upcoming four-year term. In an interview aired Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump outlined his vision for a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration, which he intends to declare a national emergency upon taking office on January 20.

According to estimates from the Department of Homeland Security, over 11 million people were living in the U.S. without legal status as of January 2022, a number likely higher today. Trump expressed his determination to remove all unauthorized immigrants, stating, “I think you have to do it. It’s a very tough thing to do. You know, you have rules, regulations, laws.”

While emphasizing strict enforcement, Trump also indicated he might be open to negotiating protections for “Dreamers,” immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. During his first term, Trump attempted to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects this group from deportation, but was blocked by the Supreme Court.

In addition to deportation efforts, Trump plans to issue an executive order on his first day in office to end birthright citizenship. This policy, rooted in the 14th Amendment and a 1898 Supreme Court decision, grants U.S. citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Trump acknowledged that his proposal could face significant legal challenges, suggesting it might ultimately require a constitutional amendment.

The execution of these ambitious measures would require substantial financial resources. The American Immigration Council estimates the cost of deporting all unauthorized immigrants at $88 billion annually. Trump’s team, including incoming border czar Tom Homan, has called on Congress to provide significant funding increases to support immigration enforcement efforts.