President-elect Donald Trump affirmed that cost would not deter him from executing his plan for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants once he assumes office. In an interview with NBC News on Thursday, Trump emphasized his commitment to creating a “strong and powerful” border, stating he would have “no choice” but to proceed with the deportation plan.
Throughout his campaign, Trump pledged to conduct the “largest deportation effort in American history,” citing strong public support. He reiterated that, starting on “Day One back in the White House,” he would initiate the “largest criminal deportation operation of illegal immigrants” to uphold the rule of law. “When people have killed and murdered, when drug lords have destroyed countries, they’re going to go back... There is no price tag,” he told NBC News.
As CNN reported, private and government sectors are preparing for the logistical challenges of mass deportations. Former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Tom Homan, explained that the approach would involve “targeted arrests” rather than indiscriminate sweeps. “We’ll know who we’re going to arrest, where we’re most likely to find ‘em,” he said, dispelling fears of mass neighborhood raids.