Former President Donald Trump has announced a bold immigration strategy, which includes the use of a centuries-old law to deport suspected gang members and drug dealers. In an op-ed published in the Des Moines Register, Trump outlined his plan to address what he describes as an immigration ‘invasion.’
Trump’s proposal involves invoking the Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century law, to remove individuals suspected of gang affiliations or drug trafficking from the United States. This law, which dates back to the Federalist era, was notably used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during World War II to deport and secure citizens of Germany, Japan, and Italy, countries that were at war with the U.S. at the time.
The former president referenced the record-breaking number of border crossings, which reached nearly 250,000 in November and surpassed 302,000 in December, marking the highest total for a single month in history. Trump contrasted this with the 400,000 total crossings recorded for the entire year of 2020.
In his op-ed, Trump criticized President Biden for canceling his border wall project and overturning his asylum policies. He also mentioned Biden’s recent controversial decision to continue building sections of the border wall on the southern border, a move that has angered some of Biden’s allies.
Trump emphasized that his administration had ended catch-and-release policies and removed over 1 million illegal aliens during his first term. He also highlighted his negotiations with Central American nations and the implementation of the “Remain in Mexico” policy to curb the flow of migrants to the U.S. border.
The use of the Alien Enemies Act, according to Trump, would be part of a broader strategy to address the surge in illegal immigration, including invoking Title 42 to tackle the child trafficking crisis. His tough stance on immigration comes as Biden prepares to ramp up his campaign, with a planned speech in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where he is expected to portray Trump as a threat to democracy.
Trump’s immigration proposals, particularly the use of the Alien Enemies Act, have sparked debate over their constitutionality and effectiveness in addressing the complex challenges of modern immigration and border security.