“You have no choice but to deport everyone who is illegally in the United States, including possibly removing the American citizen family members of those deported,” President-elect Donald Trump stated in an interview with Meet the Press host Kristen Welker.
Additionally, Trump declared his intention to repeal the 14th Amendment’s long-standing guarantee of birthright citizenship, which would deprive kids born in the US to undocumented parents of their rights.
However, he stated that he is willing to collaborate with Democrats to enact laws that would guarantee the right of Dreamers—undocumented immigrants who came to the US as minors—to stay in the nation.
Trump made his most extensive remarks since winning the election in November regarding his mass deportation plan, which was a major campaign pledge. According to him, the scheme will start with illegal immigrants who have committed crimes before moving on to non-criminals. He did not specify which offenses would be covered.
Regarding his deportation attempt, Trump stated, “I think you have to do it.” It’s a really difficult task. That being said, you must have laws, rules, and regulations. They entered the country illegally. You know, those who have been waiting ten years to enter the country are the ones who have received extremely unfair treatment.
Trump stated that we must expel the criminals from our nation, but he subsequently added, “But we’re starting with the criminals, and we got to do it.” After that, we’ll start with additional people and see how things work out.
Welker asked, “Who are the others?” “There are other people besides criminals,” Trump retorted.
The number of undocumented immigrants entering the United States increased significantly during President Joe Biden’s administration, however it has since decreased as a result of recent executive actions.
Similar to his previous campaign in 2016, Trump’s campaign focused heavily on tightening regulations along the U.S. border with Mexico. To support their claims, Trump and his supporters frequently brought attention to violent crimes carried out by undocumented immigrants. (According to a 2024 National Institute of Justice report, Texas arrest data from 2012 to 2018 revealed that the rate of violent criminal arrests for undocumented immigrants was less than half that of native-born Americans.)
Additionally, Trump outlined situations in which U.S. citizens might decide to deport themselves and their family members who are in the country illegally. His remarks mirrored those of Tom Homan, his choice to be the next president’s border czar, who stated that he would deport mixed-status families together.
Let me question you about another demographic: the estimated 4 million mixed-immigration families in the United States. Welker explained, “I’m talking about parents who may be here illegally, but the kids are here legally.”
Trump stated, “I don’t want to be tearing families apart.” Therefore, the only option to keep the family intact is to send them all back together.
Welker also inquired about Trump’s zero-tolerance policy from his first term, which divided families at the border to discourage people from choosing to enter the country illegally. The practice was eventually discontinued by Trump.
Trump stated that families don’t have to be split up. We will gently return the entire family to their home country.
So there won’t be any more family splits? Welker inquired. Is the zero-tolerance policy not being reinstated?
Trump stated that it is up to the family, adding later that if they enter the country illegally but their family members are here lawfully, the family would have a choice. They can all leave together, or the one who entered illegally can leave alone.
Trump stated that he will attempt to eliminate birthright citizenship through executive action, which would undoubtedly lead to instant legal challenges.
Trump referred to it as absurd and stated that we must put an end to it.
Trump implied that birthright citizenship is exclusive to the United States, stating, “You know, we’re the only country that has it.” However, the Library of Congress reports that over 30 countries, including Canada and Brazil, offer birthright citizenship.
When speaking about Dreamers—those who entered the country as children almost 20 years ago and are protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program that has permitted them to stay and work lawfully—the president-elect spoke in a more gentle manner.
Trump added, “I will work with the Democrats on a plan.” “We have to do something about the Dreamers, because these are people who were brought here at a very young age, and many of these are middle-aged now, and they don’t even speak the language of their country.”
He went on to say that they were introduced to our nation many years ago. Many of them have achieved success, and some are no longer young people. Their work is excellent. They sometimes own small enterprises. In certain instances, they may have sizable enterprises, and we will need to take action with them.
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