Called “Operation Aurora,” the initiative is inspired by historical precedents such as the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which gives the president the authority to detain and deport noncitizens in times of war.
Trump’s target group includes individuals from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba and Nicaragua, whom he labels “vicious criminals.”
For countries unwilling to repatriate their nationals, Trump plans to impose sanctions and travel bans to ensure compliance.
The deportation process will unfold in three phases, with the first two estimated to cost $300 billion. The final phase involves rounding up millions of remaining illegal immigrants from various workplaces, followed by swift deportations.
To streamline these deportations, Trump is considering deploying the military to establish “tent cities” on federal land.