Trump Vows to ‘Seal’ Border from Immigrants on Day 1

President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to overhaul the nation’s immigration laws starting January 20, the day he officially takes office. Immigration has long been a central issue for Trump, and he has reiterated his commitment to fulfill the ambitious promises he made during the 2024 campaign.

Trump has announced key appointments that align with his immigration goals and indicated in a recent interview that he plans to advocate for mass deportations and eliminate birthright citizenship. While much of his agenda will likely be pursued through executive actions, Trump’s allies have suggested that they will also seek to prioritize border security and immigration law changes in Congress as part of a budget reconciliation package early in his second term.

This approach marks a more defined strategy compared to his first term, with supporters asserting that he has a clear mandate for significant action. Ira Mehlman, media director of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, noted, “They seem to have a plan in place for when they assume office, and there’s every expectation they will carry it out.” He added that Trump’s administration will benefit from experience gained over the past four years and from appointing knowledgeable figures like Tom Homan.

Key appointments in Trump’s immigration team include Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff and Homan as border czar. Both have been active in media discussions about the administration’s plans for a strict crackdown on immigration. Miller predicted that Republicans could send a budget reconciliation bill to Trump by late January or early February. This bill would not require Democratic support and is expected to include increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), enhanced border barriers, and more border agents.

On his first day in office, Trump is anticipated to sign several executive orders, including one aimed at “sealing the border.” Miller emphasized that this initiative represents a long-awaited Republican goal that will finally be realized under Trump.

Trump’s allies are optimistic about swiftly advancing a reconciliation package focused on border security while addressing tax cuts later in the year. The tax cuts from 2017 are set to expire in fall 2025, but advisers warn that aligning Republican lawmakers on tax legislation may take time due to new campaign promises.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close ally of Trump who will lead the Senate Budget Committee starting in January, stated that securing the border will be his top priority through reconciliation. He assured that the bill would be transformative and financially viable.

In an interview with “Meet the Press,” Trump reiterated his commitment to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, starting with those who have committed crimes. He acknowledged the potential deportation of families with mixed immigration statuses but expressed a desire to keep families together during this process. Additionally, he aims to end birthright citizenship and resume construction of the southern border wall.

While Trump indicated some willingness to find solutions for Dreamers—undocumented individuals brought to the U.S. as children—Homan suggested that any legislative solution would require Democratic concessions on border security.

Immigration advocacy groups are expected to strongly oppose mass deportation efforts, and legal challenges are likely against any attempts by Trump to unilaterally end birthright citizenship. Democratic governors from states like Illinois and California have indicated their readiness to contest Trump’s policies in court.

At a recent GOP event in Chicago, Homan urged local leaders to cooperate with federal efforts on deportations or step aside. Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing discussing the implications of mass deportations. GOP witnesses included Patty Morin, whose daughter was allegedly killed by an undocumented immigrant, while Democratic witnesses raised concerns about family separations and economic impacts due to potential mass deportations.

Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), chair of the committee, warned that deporting all undocumented immigrants could cost hundreds of billions of dollars and harm the economy by targeting essential workers in various industries. He advocated focusing on removing individuals who pose real dangers rather than widespread deportations.