President Trump is set to sign off on 10 executive orders on Monday, moving swiftly to crack down on immigration and drug cartels during his first day in office with a blitzkrieg of immigration actions.
An incoming White House official previewed the actions during a 15-minute call with reporters ahead of Trump’s inauguration proceedings.
Among the actions Trump is set to take are declaring a national emergency at the southern border to mobilize the military – and fast-track construction of his border wall – ending birthright citizenship, pausing refugee resettlement programs and designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Some of the actions stretch the bounds of executive authority and are sure to be immediately challenged by immigration and civil rights groups.
Officials on the call cast his Trump’s as a sweeping victory that created a “mandate to carry out the promises he made on the campaign trail that includes his pledge to secure the southern border and carry out the largest deportation of migrant criminals in history.”
Trump won the Electoral College by 86 votes though his popular vote win was relatively slim. He won 49.9 percent of the vote, defeating Vice President Harris by more than 2 million votes.
The official said one coming order would “clarify the military’s role in protecting the territorial integrity of the United States” – sending personnel to the border, pushing the Department of Defense to erect barriers, and to also greenlight the use of drones and other surveillance measures.
During the call, officials said they plan to end asylum – a right guaranteed under both U.S. and international law that allows those fleeing persecution to seek safety. Many migrants who cross the border are initially allowed into the country to seek the status – driving GOP claims the program is being abused.
Trump officials also said they would pause the refugee program – a similar status for those unable to remain in the country – for at least four months.
Trump also plans to sign an order ending birthright citizenship – a move that would directly contradict the Constitution, which guarantees citizenship for all born within the U.S.
Incoming administration officials seemed to acknowledge underlying issues with such a move, saying they would do so on a “prospective basis.”
“On a prospective basis, the federal government will not recognize automatic birthright citizenship for children of illegal aliens born in the United States,” the official said.
The administration did not preview any specific travel bans but said it would direct agencies to make recommendations on specific nationalities whose entries should be suspended.
Officials also said they would begin to seek the death penalty in some cases involving migrants.
“This action in particular, directs the Attorney General to seek capital punishment for the murder of law enforcement officers and capital crimes committed by illegal aliens,” they said.
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