Trump Plans Priority Deportation Of 4.5M Criminal Migrants Upon Reelection
A bold immigration enforcement strategy could target millions of undocumented individuals if former President Donald Trump regains the White House.
According to the New York Post, House Speaker Mike Johnson outlined a comprehensive deportation plan focusing on approximately 4.5 million migrants with criminal records, marking a significant shift in potential immigration policy.
The Republican-led initiative would prioritize the removal of individuals who have committed crimes while residing in the United States illegally, ranging from minor infractions to serious offenses.
Criminal Records Reveal Alarming Statistics Nationwide
ICE data obtained by Rep. Tony Gonzales exposes that 662,566 migrants have documented criminal histories beyond illegal border entry. The records indicate 13,099 illegal immigrants convicted of homicide and 1,845 accused of murder roaming free in the United States.
Current ICE detention facilities house only 15,000 migrants with criminal charges or convictions, including 277 convicted murderers and 509 convicted rapists, representing a fraction of the total criminal migrant population.
These figures contrast with Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance's estimate during his October 1 debate, where he suggested approximately one million criminal migrants reside within U.S. borders.
Biden Administration Border Policies Draw Criticism
The current administration's approach to border management has resulted in over 10 million migrant apprehensions since January 2021, with 8 million crossing the southern border from Mexico.
House Speaker Johnson discussed the border crisis with President Biden, urging the reinstatement of Trump's "Remain in Mexico" policy. Johnson recalled their exchange, stating:
I begged the president earlier this year to reinstate Trump's 'Remain in Mexico' policy. You can make it less complicated — you just show some leadership. With all due respect, sir, you're the president of the United States. It doesn't matter what Mexico wants. You tell them.
Sanctuary jurisdictions in blue states complicate enforcement efforts by limiting cooperation with federal agencies and avoiding immigration status verification.
Enforcement Challenges And Security Concerns
The Biden-Harris administration faces criticism for their vetting procedures, highlighted by tragic incidents involving known gang members. Bill Clinton acknowledged these shortcomings while campaigning for Harris.
Internal Border Patrol documents reveal approximately 30% of southern border security cameras are non-functional, compromising surveillance capabilities. A CBP source confirmed to the New York Post that the reported number of "gotaways" likely understates the actual figure due to these technical failures.
The proposed deportation operation would rival the scale of 1954's "Operation Wetback," which removed just over one million migrants.
Trump's plan involves coordinating with local law enforcement, the National Guard, and military branches to support ICE operations, requiring increased congressional funding. Johnson emphasized that the deportation process would be lengthy but suggested that strong presidential leadership could facilitate cooperation between migrants' countries of origin.
Current Border Statistics And Entry Methods
The administration has permitted approximately 1.3 million migrants to enter through alternative means, including pre-booked flights and the CBP One App.
Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas disclosed that over 85% of migrants crossing during the current administration have been released into the interior. House Speaker Johnson shared his perspective on Vice President Harris's border commitment:
I think she'll say anything that her team tells her, scripts for her to say in order to win the election. And her record is very well known.
ICE's non-detained docket is projected to reach 8 million by the fiscal year's end, reflecting a doubling under the current administration.
The known "gotaways" tally stands at 1.9 million, with Johnson suggesting this number understates the actual figure based on border observations.
Massive Deportation Plan Requires International Cooperation
The proposed deportation strategy marks one of the largest immigration enforcement efforts in U.S. history, aimed at deporting 4.5 million individuals with criminal records. Its success would largely hinge on additional funding, collaboration among various law enforcement agencies, and diplomatic coordination with foreign governments. This approach reflects a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, focusing on strict enforcement and prioritizing the removal of migrants with criminal backgrounds.