WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to deport all undocumented immigrants in the United States over his upcoming four-year term while expressing a willingness to negotiate protections for so-called “Dreamer” immigrants, he revealed in an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker”.
Mass Deportations and Policy Actions
Trump reiterated his commitment to mass deportations, a cornerstone of his campaign, declaring, “I think you have to do it. It’s a very tough thing to do. You know, you have rules, regulations, laws.”
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants reside in the US, a number Trump’s administration will target in what he plans to declare a national emergency upon taking office on January 20.
Additionally, Trump intends to:
- Issue executive action on Day One to end birthright citizenship, which grants citizenship to anyone born on US soil regardless of parental immigration status.
- Seek funding increases for immigration enforcement from Congress.
Protections for “Dreamers”
Despite his hardline stance, Trump voiced support for a legislative deal to protect Dreamers, undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children. During his first term, Trump attempted to dismantle the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which provides deportation relief and work permits to Dreamers. However, the Supreme Court blocked his efforts.
Trump stated that Republicans are open to protecting Dreamers, a potential area of bipartisan cooperation.
Legal and Financial Hurdles
Trump’s plan to eliminate birthright citizenship, rooted in the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution, is expected to face significant legal challenges, including precedent set by an 1898 Supreme Court ruling. He hinted that achieving this goal might require a constitutional amendment, describing it as “an arduous process.”
Financially, the American Immigration Council estimates that deporting all undocumented immigrants over a decade would cost approximately $88 billion annually, a figure echoed by Trump’s incoming border czar, Tom Homan.
Enforcement Challenges and Next Steps
Homan and Trump’s deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller emphasized the need for substantial congressional funding to bolster immigration enforcement.
“We’re going to need as much money as Congress can get us,” Homan said.
With these plans, Trump is doubling down on a divisive approach to immigration policy, setting the stage for legal battles and political debates in the years ahead.