Trump to Initiate Mass Deportations, Pardons for Non-Violent Capitol Rioters on Day One

Dec 12, 2024, 02:30 PM

President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to initiate several key policy changes and actions upon taking office. Among these, Trump intends to begin the process of mass deportations, targeting undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal records. He aims to rescind a policy that has restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from making arrests at or near 'sensitive locations' such as churches, schools, and hospitals, allowing for more aggressive enforcement actions. Trump has appointed Tom Homan, his former acting ICE director, to lead this effort. Additionally, Trump has promised to grant pardons to individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, stating that he will start this process within the first hour of his presidency, focusing on non-violent offenders. This move is part of a broader plan to address what he describes as an 'invasion' of the country by undocumented immigrants and to fulfill campaign promises on immigration reform. ICE estimates suggest that there are approximately 660,000 noncitizens with criminal histories in the U.S., with some Republicans suggesting the number could be as high as 4 million.