Trump’s agenda for the first day: Deportations, border wall

President-elect Donald Trump is anticipated to implement a series of executive actions on his inaugural day in the White House aimed at intensifying immigration enforcement and reversing President Joe Biden’s key legal entry initiatives, according to three sources familiar with the situation who spoke to Reuters.

According to the sources, the executive actions would allow federal immigration officers greater discretion to detain individuals without criminal records, increase troop presence at the U.S.-Mexico border, and resume construction of the border wall.

Trump is anticipated to terminate Biden’s humanitarian programs that have permitted hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter legally in recent years and may motivate those with expired statuses to depart voluntarily, according to sources who chose to remain anonymous.

“All of these should be on the table,” stated Mark Morgan, an immigration official during Trump’s first term, clarifying that he did not represent the Trump transition team.

Trump’s initial executive actions would launch his immigration agenda, which encompasses a commitment to deport unprecedented numbers of immigrants residing in the U.S. illegally.

In 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimated that there were 11 million immigrants lacking legal status, a number that could have risen since then. Several cities that welcomed migrants, such as New York, Chicago, and Denver, faced challenges in providing housing and assistance.

Trump, representing the Republican Party, emerged victorious over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election held last week. He asserted that the Biden administration prioritized high levels of illegal immigration as a central theme of his campaign.

Trump’s transition effort is still in its initial phases, and plans may evolve before his inauguration on January 20. A spokesperson for Trump did not provide a response to the request for comment.

Migrant arrests have hit an all-time high during Biden’s presidency, putting pressure on U.S. border enforcement. However, this year saw a significant decline in illegal crossings as Biden implemented new border restrictions and Mexico enhanced its enforcement measures.

Trump seeks to further reduce illegal crossings and implement a comprehensive government strategy to arrest, detain, and deport significant numbers of individuals.

On Sunday night, Trump declared that Tom Homan, the former hardline Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, would take on the role of a White House “border czar” responsible for overseeing security and immigration enforcement.

On Monday, Vice President-elect JD Vance seemed to affirm that Stephen Miller, the mastermind behind Trump’s stringent immigration policies during his first term, would be reinstated as deputy chief of staff for policy, ensuring that the topic will continue to be a focal point.

Trump’s assertive agenda is expected to face legal obstacles from states led by Democrats, the American Civil Liberties Union, and advocates for immigration reform.

THE FIRST DAY UNFOLDS

According to sources, one of the executive actions anticipated on Trump’s first day is an order regarding interior enforcement, which involves the arrest and detention of immigrants residing in the U.S. unlawfully.

Trump plans to eliminate the Biden administration’s guidance that focused on deporting individuals with serious criminal records while restricting enforcement actions against non-criminals, according to their statements.

The Trump order would prioritize deportations for individuals charged with felonies and those who have exhausted their legal options to stay, while still allowing officers the discretion to apprehend other potentially deportable immigrants.

According to the pro-immigration American Immigration Council, over 1 million immigrants in the U.S. have run out of legal options and have received deportation orders.

Homan informed Fox News on Monday that these individuals would be prioritized. “A federal judge stated, ‘You must go home,’ yet they did not comply,” Homan remarked.

Some groups, including international students who back the Palestinian militant organization Hamas and have breached their student visa conditions, may also be identified as a priority, according to two sources.

According to one source, ICE might utilize military aircraft for deportations and request assistance from other government agencies to facilitate the transportation of deportees. “Every possibility is being considered,” the source stated.

According to the two sources, another order would address border security. According to sources, Trump plans to deploy National Guard troops to the border and designate illegal immigration as a national emergency in order to access funds for the construction of the border wall.

According to two sources, wall construction in Arizona may become a priority, as Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs has opposed Republican enforcement efforts.

DISCONTINUING BIDEN INITIATIVES

Trump intends to terminate Biden’s temporary humanitarian “parole” programs, which have permitted hundreds of thousands of migrants to enter legally and obtain work permits, according to sources.

The initiatives encompass a program for specific migrants who have U.S. sponsors, as well as one that enables migrants in Mexico to utilize an app for scheduling border appointments.

According to sources, individuals in the U.S. with expired parole status who choose to leave voluntarily may be permitted to apply for legal admission without facing penalties.

Trump is anticipated to engage in discussions with Mexico regarding the potential reinstatement of his “Remain in Mexico” program, which mandated that non-Mexican asylum seekers remain in Mexico during the adjudication of their U.S. cases.