Trump Administration Begins Unprecedented Deportation Operations Using Military Aircraft
For the first time in U.S. history, military aircraft have been used to deport undocumented immigrants, marking a new chapter in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Officials describe this effort as part of a broader push to deter illegal entry and prioritize national security.
Homan: “There Are Consequences for Entering Illegally”
Tom Homan, President Trump’s “border czar,” has emphasized the administration’s intent to send a clear message about the consequences of unlawful entry. Speaking to ABC’s This Week, Homan said, “If we don’t show there’s consequences, you’re never going to fix the border problem.”
The U.S. is home to an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants, and President Trump has vowed to take significant action to reduce those numbers. Early in his presidency, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, ended the policy of “catch and release,” and sought to challenge birthright citizenship—a move that quickly faced legal hurdles.
Deportation Priorities: Public Safety and National Security
Homan explained that the administration’s deportation efforts would begin with individuals deemed threats to public safety or national security. According to estimates from House Republicans, hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. have criminal convictions or pending charges. Furthermore, in the last four years, hundreds of individuals caught at the border were identified as having names matching those on terrorism watchlists.
Despite these figures, Department of Homeland Security data shows that a vast majority of undocumented immigrants reaching the U.S. border in recent years had no criminal records, with most offenses involving nonviolent crimes such as driving under the influence.
Homan acknowledged that while ICE prioritizes public safety threats, “collateral arrests” are inevitable. He criticized sanctuary cities for obstructing ICE operations, stating that releasing undocumented individuals accused of serious crimes without notifying federal authorities “endangers the community.”
Sensitive Locations and Expanded Enforcement
The Trump administration has also rescinded prior restrictions on conducting immigration operations in sensitive areas like schools and churches. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman stated, “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.”
Critics argue that this approach sows fear in immigrant communities. The chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration stated that turning places of care into areas of fear undermines community safety.
Homan, however, defended the decision, noting that no other law enforcement agency is restricted from entering sensitive locations. He added that ICE officers undergo training and supervisory review for such operations, ensuring public safety remains the priority.
Challenges and Resource Constraints
Homan admitted that the administration’s goals are ambitious, especially given resource limitations. ICE lacks sufficient funding from Congress to detain all undocumented immigrants targeted for removal.
“We can do what we can with the money we have,” Homan said. “With more funding, we can accomplish more.” He highlighted the link between border security and national security, asserting that a lack of enforcement facilitates threats like drug trafficking and human trafficking.
Mass Deportations and the Path Forward
While the Trump administration has deployed significant resources to address undocumented immigration, Homan acknowledged that removing all undocumented individuals is unrealistic. Instead, the focus remains on taking public safety and national security threats off the streets.
Homan also reiterated the administration’s message to those seeking asylum: “Do it the legal way. Go to the embassy, go to the point of entry. Don’t break our laws by entering illegally.”
As the Trump administration continues its controversial immigration policies, the question remains whether these measures will achieve their intended outcomes or further polarize the nation.
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