Trump proposes using police, National Guard and possibly military to remove immigrants

Former President Donald Trump outlined plans for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants if he wanted to secure a second term in a recent interview with Time magazine.

Trump indicated he would use local law enforcement, the National Guard and possibly the U.S. military to carry out this effort, emphasizing the need for law and order in the country.

Trump suggested that the National Guard would play an important role in enforcing immigration laws, citing the need to address issues of illegal immigration.

Donald J. Trump (Credits: The Guardian)

When asked about the legal implications of using the military for such purposes, Trump claimed that persons not legally present in the country do not fall under the category of citizens, which justifies their involvement.

The Biden campaign quickly condemned Trump’s comments, characterizing them as disturbing and dangerous. Representative Veronica Escobar criticized Trump’s proposed policies, particularly his intention to use the military and law enforcement to enforce immigration measures, which she deemed anti-American and ineffective.

Trump referred to previous instances where the National Guard was deployed, such as in Minneapolis in 2020 during protests following the death of George Floyd. However, it is worth noting that it was Minnesota’s Democratic Governor Tim Walz who activated the National Guard in response to the unrest.

In addition to using local law enforcement and the National Guard, Trump expressed a desire to grant special immunity to police officers involved in immigration enforcement activities. He proposed giving police departments financial incentives to participate in deportations, while acknowledging that some may choose not to cooperate.

Despite potential legal challenges and opposition from Democratic-led states and municipalities, Trump remained steadfast in his plans for mass deportations. He hinted at the possibility of building mass detention centers to facilitate this process, but emphasized his intention to prioritize rapid deportation.

Donald J Trump (Credits: Medpage Today)

Trump’s immigration policies are likely to come under legal scrutiny, especially given his record of controversial executive actions and policies. However, Trump expressed confidence in the Supreme Court, where he appointed three conservative justices during his presidency, signaling his belief that his policies could withstand legal challenges.

Although Trump’s first term included promises of mass deportations, actual numbers fell short of expectations compared to the previous administration. Nevertheless, the Trump administration implemented measures such as Title 42 during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the expulsion of millions of migrants seeking asylum.