President Donald Trump (R) has confirmed that he will call a national emergency to respond to illegal immigration concerns. The president-elect plans to use the military to carry out mass deportations. After running a campaign that placed illegal immigration at the forefront of his platform, Democrats are now warning of what the upcoming Trump administration will carry out.
President Trump has already nominated Tom Homan to serve as his "Border Czar." The Trump-ally is a hardliner on illegal immigration, who has shared that those deported would be "criminals" and "gang members" considering that, according to him, they are national and public safety threats. However, with the the recent admission from President Trump regarding the "national emergency" he will call once he takes office, lawmakers are sharing their concern.
Former Florida Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D) took to social media to respond to the president-elect's announcement, writing that "Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order allowing military force for mass deportations." "Many Miami-Dade businesses - nurseries, tourism, restaurants, ALF's, healthcare - rely on undocumented workers," she added, questioning, "will he enforce this in his own state, or will he protect his friends who employ them?"
Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order allowing military force for mass deportations. Many Miami-Dade businesses—nurseries, tourism, restaurants, ALF’s, healthcare—rely on undocumented workers. Will he enforce this in his own state, or will he protect his friends who… pic.twitter.com/sy4hjkRpEL
— Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (@DebbieforFL) November 18, 2024
Some lawmakers in the Republican Party have also shared some concerns over the president-elect's proposed mass deportation program.
Over the weekend, Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales (R), commented on the issue, saying that the government should only target convicted criminals. To target anyone else would mean that "government has failed us."
During an interview on ABC News' "This Week," Rep. Gonzales expressed that "if we're going after the guy that's picking tomatoes or the nurse at the local hospital and we're not going after the convicted criminal, then our government has failed us."
"Our country was built on those fleeing persecution... it would be just absolutely terrible if we don't protect those that are doing it the right way," Rep. Gonzales added. "Legal immigration should never be mixed with those hardened criminals."
