In a recent campaign event in New Hampshire on Tuesday, August 8, former United States President Donald Trump announced his intention to carry out what he described as the “largest domestic deportation operation in American history” if he were to win the 2024 presidential polls. Drawing a comparison to the Eisenhower-Howard model, Trump outlined his strategy to address immigration concerns by utilizing a comprehensive range of resources.
During the event, Trump criticized the Biden administration’s open border policy and voiced his concerns about what he termed an “invasion” of the country. He asserted, “I will immediately terminate all the open border policy of the Biden administration. Our country is being invaded. Following the Eisenhower model, we will use all necessary state, local, federal, and military resources to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.”
This isn’t the first time Trump has expressed such intentions. In 2019, during his tenure as president, he issued threats to deport millions of individuals living in the US without legal documentation. He had previously stated in June 2019 that his administration would initiate the process of removing undocumented immigrants from the country.
Currently facing felony charges for his alleged role in attempts to overturn the 2020 election results and the subsequent violent riot by his supporters at the US Capitol, Trump has continuously dismissed the charges as “politically motivated.” Despite his legal challenges, he remains vocal about his criminal cases. On August 8, he persisted in criticizing special counsel Jack Smith and pledged to keep discussing his legal battles.
Amidst ongoing legal proceedings, the former US president’s promises to undertake a substantial deportation operation if elected once again underscore the prominent role that immigration issues continue to play in the American political landscape.