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United States President-elect Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping immigration reform plan aimed at deporting all undocumented immigrants over the next four years while ending birthright citizenship, a policy enshrined in the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment.
In a wide-ranging interview aired Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump pledged to begin deportations immediately upon taking office on January 20, classifying illegal immigration as a national emergency. He asserted that current immigration laws necessitate tough action.
“I think you have to do it. It’s a very tough thing to do. But you have to have rules, regulations, and laws,” Trump stated.
According to Reuters, the Department of Homeland Security estimates that as of January 2022, more than 11 million people are living in the U.S. without legal status a figure likely higher today.
Trump's strategy will reportedly start with deporting undocumented immigrants involved in criminal activities, followed by broader enforcement. However, he declined to specify what types of offenses would qualify.
The policy could impact mixed-status families, where some members are U.S. citizens while others are undocumented. Trump suggested that such families might have to leave together to avoid separation:
“The only way you don’t break up the family is to keep them together, and you have to send them all back,” he said.
Despite harsh measures, Trump indicated flexibility toward “Dreamers”, undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. He expressed a willingness to work with Democrats to pass legislation granting them legal protections, though past efforts to dismantle DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) during his first term were blocked by the Supreme Court.
Trump also reaffirmed plans to end birthright citizenship through executive action, which would likely face constitutional challenges. The policy, protected under the 14th Amendment since 1868, grants citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil regardless of parental immigration status.
“We have to end it. It’s ridiculous,” Trump said. “We’re the only country that has it, you know.”
This claim is incorrect. According to a Library of Congress review, over 30 countries, including Canada and Brazil, offer birthright citizenship.
Legal experts argue that any executive attempt to end birthright citizenship would trigger Supreme Court challenges. Trump's proposed action would likely require a constitutional amendment, an uphill battle in the current political climate.
Trump’s immigration plans could cause economic disruption on a national scale. According to the American Immigration Council, the cost of deporting all undocumented immigrants could exceed $88 billion annually, straining federal resources and overwhelming immigration courts.
Experts warn that such measures could also disrupt key sectors such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality, which heavily depend on immigrant labor.
To underscore these concerns, consider watching the MSNBC segment titled:
"Trump’s Deportation Policy Can Cause an ‘Economic Catastrophe’: President of NextGen America"
Trump’s proposals mark a significant escalation in U.S. immigration policy. As his team readies to take office, Congress, civil rights organizations, and immigration advocates are preparing for intense legal battles and political pushback. The future of birthright citizenship and mass deportations now rests on a complex mix of executive actions, Supreme Court rulings, and legislative negotiations.
