Internet backs Trump as he vows to expel nearly 20M illegal migrants in largest 'mass deportation effort'
WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump has promised to carry out the "largest mass deportation effort" in American history, aimed at millions of illegal immigrants nationwide if he's reelected, the New York Post reports.
Trump has made no secret of his intention to deport people. In an interview with TIME Magazine, he said that he would use the military, the National Guard, and local law enforcement to carry out his plan, which is akin to the dragnet-style sweeps of Operation Wetback, which was carried out under former President Dwight Eisenhower and resulted in the removal of over a million migrants in 1954.
Donald Trump vows to deport ‘nearly 20 million’ illegal migrants
The specific resources that would be required to locate, apprehend, and deport the "nearly 20 million" illegal migrants that the Trump 2024 campaign claims are currently in the country have not been disclosed.
However, former ICE officials said that carrying out an operation that size would need a significant expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, cooperation with the State Department, and increased funds from Congress.
According to Eric Ruark, director of research at NumbersUSA, the 20 million figure made by the Trump campaign is "not an unreasonable estimate" in light of the swings and record-breaking amount of migrants entering the US during the Biden administration.
Contrasting with the official estimate of 11 million from the US Census Bureau, Ruark said, "There’s probably between 15 and 20 million, given the number of people we’ve seen coming over."
The agency has "systems in place that are very good at identifying people," according to Tom Homan, the former acting director of ICE under Trump, but the pace of the deportations would rely on the available resources.
Homan said, "A lot of that is going to be up to Congress … We need officers, we need detention beds, we need transportation contracts … because [we would have] more flights heading out of the country and more bus removals down to the border."
He added, "We would still prioritize criminals and national security threats first, they are the most dangerous for the country. But I would say no one is off the table. If you’re in this country illegally… then we’ll remove you."
"There's no doubt that ICE would benefit from a significant increase in officers, agents, and detention space," stated Jon Feere, the former chief of staff for ICE under Trump, adding that a Trump administration would 'undoubtedly' bring up the proposal with Congress.
However, Feere contended, ICE is already able to hold more people than the Biden administration is already doing so. He said, "This effort will likely include city-wide operations where officers from different parts of the country are brought in to conduct work site investigations and make arrests within the course of weeks within in any given jurisdiction."
Internet backs Trump as he vows to deport ‘nearly 20 million’ illegal migrants
People on the internet chimed in with their views as Trump promised to carry out the 'largest mass deportation effort' in American history, aimed at millions of illegal immigrants nationwide if re-elected.
A user posted on X, "Most will comply, that’s why they are scared" while one added, "Looking forward to in When he is in office as President!!!"
A person also wrote, "Lawbreakers should always and instantly be held accountable" whereas one mentioned, "It needs to be done. It should be done. It can be done. And still overall it will be cheaper than caring & providing for them. Give the money back to the taxpayers."
law breakers should always and instantly be held accountable.
— OurOneNation (@OurOneNationUSA) May 5, 2024
It needs to be done. It should be done. It can be done. And still overall it will be cheaper than caring & providing for them. Give the money back to the taxpayers.
— Zia Strega (@capi5633) May 5, 2024
A person also stated, "We shouldn't have to deport what should not have been allowed in the country in the first place. Dems hate us who don't like their program" while one added, "I support President Trump's campaign promise to deport 20 million illegals. Anyone else support this idea????"
We shouldn't have to deport what should not have been allowed in the country in the first place. Dems hate us who don't like their program.
— Slevin (@beprimal3) May 5, 2024
I support President Trump's campaign promise to deport 20 million illegals. Anyone else support this idea????
— Theresa Brigner (@TheresaBrigner) May 5, 2024
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.