Tom Homan, President Trump’s appointed “border czar,” has vowed the planned mass deportations will be conducted. Let it be noted that “border czar” is not an official position in the US government. “Let me be clear: There is going to be a mass deportation because we just finished a mass illegal immigration crisis on the border,” Homan said on Tuesday at the US-Mexico border with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as a part of Operation Lonestar. Homan has stated this effort will prioritize the deportation of noncitizens with criminal convictions, but that remains to be seen as he has also stated workplace raids and other tools will be used. When interviewed by Fox News Homan claimed there are “over 1.5 million convicted criminal aliens in this country with orders for removal who we’ll be looking for.” As of July 21, ICE lists the number of noncitizens with criminal history at roughly 660,000.
There is, however, a lack of pre-existing infrastructure to conduct this mass deportation. The United States has not sought to deport en masse since the 1950s, lacking the extensive detention apparatus that would facilitate these expulsions. The incoming administration plans to bridge this gap in capacity through various means. Private prison company stocks soar as Trump is reportedly intent on expanding immigrant detention in private, for-profit prisons. 1,400 acres of land along the Us-Mexico border has been offered to Trump by Texas authorities to build detention facilities, though it faces potential legal challenges and logistical difficulties. Homan has threatened states and cities that refuse to comply with Trump’s deportation plans, including arresting mayors, though there is “no legal mechanism or modern legal precedent that allows the federal government to incarcerate local leaders for not adhering to an administration’s policy,” according to Elora Mukherjee, director of Columbia Law School’s Immigration Clinic when interviewed by ABC News.
Be very careful!
Beware of notaries, immigration consultants or anyone who is not qualified and prepared in these matters. Always seek the advice and services of an immigration attorney for your immigration processes and procedures.