Donald Trump supports the introduction of a state of emergency as part of his policy regarding the mass deportation of migrants staying illegally in the US, US media report. The president-elect responded to these reports, writing one word: “Truth.”
Conservative commentator Tom J. Fitton wrote on Truth Social (a social media platform created by Donald Trump – ed.) that “according to reports, the incoming Donald Trump administration is ready to declare a national emergency and use military units to 'stop the invasion' of Biden-era migrants through a program of mass deportations. The president-elect responded to this comment, writing: “Truth.”
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Trump wants to use the 1798 law
During the election campaign, Trump announced that on the first day of his presidency he would launch “the largest criminal deportation program in American history,” and the deportation process would be carried out by National Guard officers and other government agencies.
The president-elect also indicated that he would use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which allows for the deportation of migrants from countries with which USA they are at war.
This act was applied, among others, during World War II to deport the Japanese, Germans and Italians. Trump also announced that he would seek the death penalty for any immigrant convicted of murdering a US citizen.
The National Emergencies Act authorizes the president to enact special powers during a crisis, while also imposing procedures that may be waived by the president or Congress passing an appropriate resolution.
Since the law was passed in 1976, each president has declared multiple states of emergency. During his first term, Trump announced seven of them.
Trump's goal is to deport up to 20 million people
In 2022, the United States Department of Security estimated the number of illegally staying migrants at approximately 11 million. The nonprofit American Immigration Council says the number could have risen to 13 million.
The organization estimated that the cost of deporting these people could amount to as much as $968 billion, assuming that the entire process would take over 10 years.
Donald Trump declared that the goal of his administration would be to deport up to 20 million people.
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