United States President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed his intent to declare a national emergency on border security, deploying the military to facilitate a large-scale deportation of undocumented migrants.
The announcement marks a significant step in Trump’s commitment to overhauling immigration policies, a cornerstone of his 2024 presidential campaign.
On Monday, Trump amplified a post on his Truth Social platform by a conservative activist claiming he was “prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.” Trump confirmed the statement by simply commenting, “True!”
Trump’s victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris on November 5 has paved the way for a return to hardline immigration policies. During his campaign, Trump focused heavily on border security, vowing to deport millions of undocumented migrants and secure the U.S.-Mexico border after record numbers of illegal crossings under President Joe Biden’s administration.
In line with his rhetoric, Trump has begun assembling a cabinet that includes staunch immigration hardliners. Former acting chief of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Tom Homan, has been named as his “border czar.” Homan, a prominent advocate for stricter immigration policies, signaled the administration’s approach during a speech at the Republican National Convention in July.
“I got a message to the millions of illegal immigrants that Joe Biden’s released in our country: You better start packing now,” Homan declared.
Authorities estimate that approximately 11 million undocumented migrants reside in the U.S., with Trump’s proposed deportation strategy expected to impact nearly 20 million families directly. Trump’s plan hinges on the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a rarely used and controversial statute last applied during World War II to detain Japanese-Americans in internment camps without due process.
The law’s potential use has sparked significant backlash, with critics labeling it an outdated mechanism unsuitable for modern immigration challenges. Legal scholars and human rights advocates have also expressed concerns about its implications for due process and civil liberties.
Trump’s campaign was marked by incendiary language targeting undocumented migrants. He frequently referred to an “invasion” of the U.S. by migrants and falsely claimed they were responsible for rising crime rates. Trump also alarmed critics by employing racially charged phrases such as immigrants “poisoning the blood” of the United States.
Despite his rhetoric, statistics show that the current level of illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border is roughly equivalent to figures from 2020, Trump’s final year in office. After a peak of 250,000 border patrol encounters in December 2023, numbers have stabilized in recent months.
Trump’s declaration of a national emergency has drawn sharp criticism from immigrant rights groups, legal experts, and political opponents. They argue that mass deportation efforts risk tearing apart families, disrupting communities, and undermining international human rights standards.
Meanwhile, Trump’s base has rallied behind his proposals, viewing them as a decisive response to what they perceive as lax border policies under Biden’s leadership.
While Trump’s plans have energized his supporters, the logistical and legal challenges of executing a large-scale deportation program remain significant. Observers are also watching closely to see whether Congress, courts, or civil society organizations will challenge the proposed use of the Alien Enemies Act.
With Trump poised to return to the White House in January, his immigration policies will undoubtedly dominate political discourse and test the nation’s resolve to balance border security with humanitarian principles.
“This is about ensuring America’s safety and sovereignty,” Trump declared during his campaign, underscoring the stakes for his administration and the country at large.
