Trump Vows Mass Deportations if Reelected, Targeting Biden’s Immigration Programs
Former President Donald Trump, who has made hardline immigration policies a centerpiece of his 2024 presidential campaign, vowed on Wednesday to expel hundreds of thousands of immigrants who entered the U.S. under two critical Biden administration programs. Trump’s comments, delivered in an interview with Fox News, highlight his continued focus on immigration as a cornerstone of his reelection strategy.
Targeting Biden’s Immigration Policies
During the interview, Trump criticized two immigration initiatives launched by the Biden administration. The programs aim to manage the flow of migrants by offering controlled pathways for legal entry and alleviating pressure on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Trump’s promise to reverse these programs and deport over 1 million individuals, if re-elected, is a stark warning. His statement, “Get ready to leave because you’re going out fast,” suggests significant uncertainty and potential upheaval for these migrants.
The former president’s pledge adds to a growing list of anti-immigration policies he has floated during his current campaign, including mass deportations of undocumented migrants. While Trump made similar promises during previous campaigns, deportation numbers under his presidency never exceeded 350,000 annually.
Biden’s Immigration Programs Explained
One of the Biden administration’s initiatives allows migrants to use the CBP One mobile app to schedule an appointment at official U.S. border crossings. This process, aimed at streamlining asylum claims, has seen more than 813,000 migrants use the app since its inception in January 2023.
A second program allows up to 30,000 people per month from countries like Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. if they have a financial sponsor, pass background checks, and fly into an American airport. This approach, designed to reduce illegal border crossings and human smuggling operations, has facilitated the entry of approximately 530,000 people so far.
Both programs operate under humanitarian parole, granting migrants temporary admission for two years. The Biden administration argues these initiatives reduce border chaos while enabling vetting of individuals before they enter the U.S. However, these policies have faced sharp criticism from Republicans, who claim they bypass congressional authority on immigration law, highlighting the deep divide on this issue.
Legal and Logistical Challenges
Republican-led states have filed lawsuits to block these programs, accusing the Biden administration of undermining U.S. immigration laws. Trump’s campaign is signaling a more aggressive approach to curbing immigration, with proposals from his team that include invoking wartime powers and leveraging state governments to enforce mass deportations.
Despite Trump’s renewed focus on immigration, experts suggest that any attempt to deport large numbers of migrants would face significant legal, logistical, and financial hurdles. Critics argue that Trump’s proposals, if implemented, could lead to prolonged court battles, administrative chaos, and strain the nation’s immigration system.
As the 2024 election cycle heats up, immigration will likely remain a focal point of Trump’s campaign, alongside other key issues that resonate with his base.