Trump Suggests Military Could Be Used for Mass Deportations Amid Growing Support for the Measure
Donald Trump has confirmed that his administration may employ military resources for mass deportations, with the prospect of declaring a national emergency to address illegal immigration once he takes office.
His comments came after conservative activist Tom Fitton posted on Truth Social about the incoming administration’s plans to use military assets to reverse what Trump calls the “Biden invasion” through mass deportation.
“TRUE!!!” Trump responded to Fitton’s post, signaling his agreement with the proposal. Trump’s first term saw him declare a national emergency to fund the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, an order rescinded by President Joe Biden shortly after he took office.
With Republicans set to control both Congress and the White House under Trump’s leadership, it may be easier for him to implement stricter immigration measures. Support for deportations has grown significantly since his first term, according to recent polls.
A CNN survey showed a 20-point increase in support for deportations from 2017 to 2024, and a 22-point rise in the number of voters who view an increasing number of immigrants of various nationalities and ethnicities as a societal threat.
A Gallup poll also indicated a significant jump in support for deporting all immigrants without legal permission, up 15 points from 2016. However, polls also show that many Americans still support a pathway to citizenship for certain undocumented immigrants. Fifty-six percent of voters, including a sizable portion of Trump supporters, believe most undocumented immigrants should be eligible to apply for legal status under certain conditions.
While Trump has garnered support for his tough stance on immigration, other surveys indicate more nuanced views on deportation. A Marquette Law School poll in October found that support for deporting undocumented immigrants drops to 40% when they have lived in the U.S. for years, hold jobs, and have no criminal record.
On the other hand, a Pew Research Center poll found that 59% of voters favor allowing undocumented immigrants who meet specific requirements to remain in the U.S., and 70% support giving them a path to citizenship. Support for deportations in a similar vein, as proposed by Trump, remains lower, with only one-third of voters backing such a plan.
As Trump prepares to assume office, he has tapped Tom Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to lead efforts in enforcing his deportation agenda.
Homan, a key architect of Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy, has been outspoken about the need for strong immigration enforcement, even suggesting that families could be deported together.
Trump’s proposed deportation plan is estimated to cost over $967 billion over the next decade, according to the American Immigration Council. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy warns that the plan could lead to significant workforce reductions, particularly in industries such as agriculture, construction, and service sectors, with millions of workers potentially displaced.
Trump’s aggressive stance on immigration continues to shape the national debate, with his supporters hailing the prospect of mass deportations while others remain concerned about the broader social and economic impacts.