Washington, D.C. — President-elect Donald Trump has announced his plan to deport all immigrants who are living in the United States without legal permission over the next four years. He made this statement in a recent interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press with Kristen Welker” on Sunday.
Trump explained that while he aims to remove all illegal immigrants, he is open to finding a solution for “Dreamers”—immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children without proper documentation. These immigrants, often known as “Dreamers,” currently have protections under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which Trump attempted to end during his last presidency but was stopped by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Deportation Plans
Trump said that his goal is to send back every person who is in the U.S. illegally. He mentioned that it’s a tough job, but it’s necessary to follow the country’s laws and regulations. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimated there were about 11 million immigrants living in the U.S. illegally in 2022, and the number might be even higher now.
Trump also shared plans to take executive action on his first day as president to end birthright citizenship, which gives anyone born in the U.S. automatic citizenship, even if their parents are not legally in the country. This could lead to major legal battles, as this right is protected by the U.S. Constitution and was backed by a Supreme Court decision in 1898.
The Cost of Deportation
Trump’s plan to deport millions of people would be very expensive. Experts estimate that it could cost about $88 billion per year to deport everyone who is in the U.S. illegally. This plan could require a lot of funding, and Trump’s advisors, like Tom Homan and Stephen Miller, have said that Congress would need to approve large amounts of money to make it happen.
Trump’s Stance on Dreamers
Despite his tough stance on illegal immigration, Trump said he wants to make a deal to protect the Dreamers. He believes Republicans are open to offering protections to these immigrants if a deal can be made. However, he made it clear that his primary goal is to deport all those living in the U.S. without legal status, even if it’s a challenging task.
What’s Next?
Trump’s plans for mass deportations and ending birthright citizenship are controversial and are likely to face strong legal challenges. Some people believe he will need to push for a change in the U.S. Constitution to change birthright citizenship, which is a complicated process that would involve asking the American people for approval.
As Trump gets ready to take office on January 20, his plans will continue to spark debates and discussions across the country.
