Trump Pledges Mass Deportations of ‘Criminals’ While Vowing to Abolish Birthright Citizenship
By Jake Beardslee ·
December 9, 2024
In a revealing interview with NBC's Meet the Press, President-elect Donald Trump outlined an expansive immigration strategy that promises to fundamentally reshape America's approach to undocumented residents. Speaking candidly to moderator Kristen Welker, Trump presented a multi-faceted plan that would target millions of individuals living in the United States without legal documentation. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
The cornerstone of Trump's proposed immigration overhaul is a sweeping deportation program aimed at removing an estimated 11 to 20 million undocumented immigrants. "You have to do it. It's a very tough thing to do," Trump stated. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
Trump initially intends to focus on removing individuals with criminal backgrounds. "We're starting with the criminals," he explained, "and then we're starting with others." When pressed on the definition of "others," Trump clarified that this would encompass all individuals without legal status beyond those with criminal records. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
The proposed plan goes beyond deportation, targeting fundamental aspects of immigration law. Most notably, Trump expressed a strong desire to end birthright citizenship, a right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. "We're going to have to get it changed," he asserted, suggesting potential routes including a constitutional amendment or executive action. Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels
Actual government data presents a stark contrast to Trump's rhetoric. The Department of Homeland Security reports fewer than 50 border interactions with noncitizens convicted of homicide annually, significantly lower than Trump's claims of thousands of murderers "walking down the streets." United States Department of Homeland Security / Wikimedia
The logistical challenges of such a massive deportation effort are immense. Current Department of Homeland Security infrastructure is nowhere near equipped to process millions of removals within a four-year presidential term. The American Immigration Council estimates that such a program would cost approximately $88 billion annually, a staggering financial commitment. U.S. Customs and Border Protection / Wikimedia
Trump's team is already positioning itself to implement these aggressive policies. He has appointed known immigration hardliners like Tom Homan as his "border czar" and Stephen Miller as a key national security advisor—both individuals with a history of supporting strict immigration enforcement. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
Interestingly, Trump expressed a nuanced stance on "Dreamer" immigrants—individuals brought to the United States as children. He indicated willingness to negotiate protections for this specific group, suggesting potential compromise amid the broader deportation strategy. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
The political landscape surrounding immigration has shifted dramatically. Once vocal advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship, Democrats have largely retreated from these positions. Brett Jordan / Wikimedia
The Democratic Party's approach to immigration has undergone a remarkable transformation since President Biden's inauguration, moving from a promise of progressive reform to a stance that increasingly mirrors the enforcement-heavy strategies once associated with the Trump administration. Sgt. Charlotte Carulli / Wikimedia
When Biden first took office in January 2021, he initially rolled back many of his predecessor's stringent immigration policies. However, just three years into his presidency, the party dramatically realigned its position, embracing a more restrictive approach that has left immigration advocates stunned and questioning the future of migrant rights. DJTechYT / Wikimedia
Elora Mukherjee, director of the Immigrants' Rights Clinic at Columbia Law School, offered a pointed critique of this political shift. "What we are seeing is that the center of the Democratic Party is now adopting the same policies, the same postures, that MAGA Republicans were fighting for about six years ago," she told NPR, highlighting the stark ideological transformation. SWinxy / Wikimedia
Vice President Kamala Harris has been at the forefront of this new narrative, emphasizing a hardline stance during her presidential campaign. "The United States is a sovereign nation, and I believe we have a duty to set rules at our border and to enforce them, and I take that responsibility very seriously," Harris declared during a border visit in Arizona, signaling a significant departure from previous Democratic messaging. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a key negotiator on border security, articulated the party's new approach. "The priorities have to be getting the border under control," he told NBC News. "The numbers are very low right now, but you can't guarantee that that will remain the case." Murphy suggests that prioritizing border security might actually create opportunities for broader immigration reforms. United States Senate / Wikimedia
Multiple factors have driven this political realignment. A record number of unauthorized border crossings, persistent misinformation, and intense Republican pressure have forced Democrats to reposition themselves as tough on border security. The party now finds itself in a delicate balancing act, attempting to appear both compassionate and strictly enforcement-oriented. Sgt. 1st Class Gordon Hyde / Wikimedia
Republican-led states have further complicated the landscape by attempting to implement their own immigration regulations, adding additional pressure on the Democratic Party to demonstrate a tough stance on border control. Republican Party / Wikimedia
Trump's interview also touched on broader geopolitical themes, including potential tariffs, NATO commitments, and support for Ukraine. Alketii / Wikimedia
The proposed deportation plan raises significant constitutional, ethical, and practical questions. With potential legal challenges and massive financial implications, Trump's vision represents a radical reimagining of U.S. immigration policy. Tomas Castelazo, www.tomascastelazo.com / Wikimedia
