In a recent interview with Fox News, Vice President JD Vance discussed the Trump administration's focus on deporting migrants with criminal records. He highlighted the administration's ambitious objective of removing nearly 2,000 such individuals daily, emphasizing the need to regain control over the nation's borders. Vance underscored the significance of addressing the substantial population of undocumented immigrants within the country.
ICE and DEA conduct migrant raids in New York City (Drug Enforcement Administration New York)
Since President Trump's recent inauguration, border encounters have seen a dramatic decrease exceeding 60%. Official data reveals approximately 7,200 migrant encounters during Trump's first week back in office, a significant drop from the over 20,000 encounters during President Biden's final week. Vance expressed confidence in further reducing these numbers, attributing the decline to effective policy implementation and the President's commitment to border security and economic prosperity.
President Trump arrives for his second inauguration (Melina Mara - Pool/Getty Images)
Repatriation efforts are underway, sending migrants back to their countries of origin, which include Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala, and Ecuador. A Border Patrol official stressed the clear message being sent to potential illegal immigrants: Attempts to enter the United States illegally will not be tolerated. This message was reinforced following the deportation of over 80 individuals from El Paso, Texas, to Ecuador via a C-17 military aircraft.
Vance addressed criticism regarding the deportations, emphasizing Trump's electoral victory and the mandate it represents. He highlighted the democratic process and the administration's commitment to fulfilling campaign promises. Furthermore, the Vice President revealed that in certain cases, the government possessed the names and addresses of criminal migrants, yet action was delayed until President Trump's return to office. He expressed concern over this previous inaction and its implications for public safety.
