Former US President Donald Trump
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has outlined a series of proposed immigration policies that would significantly restrict both illegal and legal immigration if he returns to office.
His campaign has focused heavily on enhanced border enforcement measures and large-scale deportation efforts. On border security, Trump has emphasized reinstating several policies from his previous administration. A cornerstone of this approach would be the revival of the 2019 "remain in Mexico" program, which required asylum seekers to await their case decisions in Mexico rather than entering the United States.
This program was terminated by President Biden who recently ended his reelection campaign leaving Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate. While Biden had promised more humanitarian immigration policies, his administration faced challenges managing unprecedented numbers of migrants at the southern border. Trump's border strategy also includes reinstating Title 42, a COVID-era policy that enabled swift expulsion of migrants without asylum processing.
He has cited concerns about fentanyl trafficking and child exploitation to justify these emergency measures. The proposal includes expanding detention capabilities for all individuals caught crossing illegally, eliminating what he characterizes as "catch and release" practices. To strengthen border operations, Trump has proposed a substantial increase in Border Patrol staffing, calling for 10,000 additional agents.
He also intends to resume construction of the border wall, building upon the 450 miles of barriers installed during his previous term, much of which replaced existing structures along the 1,954-mile border. Perhaps most notably, Trump has announced plans for what he describes as the largest deportation initiative in American history. While prioritizing individuals with criminal records, the program would aim to remove millions of undocumented immigrants.
His September rally in Wisconsin drew criticism from immigrant advocacy groups when he described the proposed deportations as a "bloody story." The plan could involve deploying the National Guard for arrests and deportations, though Trump has suggested extensive detention facilities may be unnecessary due to rapid removal procedures.