The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained 308 immigrants considered “serious criminals” this Tuesday (21), the first full day of President Donald Trump’s term in office, reported this Wednesday (22) Tom Homan, the new government’s border “czar.”
“Some of them were rapists, some were murderers, some were child molesters. ICE is doing its job. He is prioritizing, exactly as the president said he would. He is doing his job excellently on site and will continue to do so every day,” Homan told the television network Fox News.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is responsible for enforcing migration laws, has not yet released any information about these detentions.
Trump took office on Monday (20) and emphasized, at the time, that he would fulfill his campaign promise to carry out the largest deportation of illegal immigrants in the country’s history.
On his first day in office, he also declared a “national emergency,” authorizing the use of military forces along the border with Mexico to “protect” it and repel “forms of invasion,” including illegal migration and trafficking. of drugs.
The decree also requires authorities to “immediately deport” all people who enter the US illegally.
“Right now we are focusing on the worst ones,” Homan told Fox Newsin addition to highlighting that these are people who represent a threat to national or public security and that there cannot be “strong” national security if the border is not protected.
Troops on the border
Also on Wednesday, the Trump administration ordered the deployment of troops to the border with Mexico, taking the first step towards fulfilling its promise to “close” the passage of illegal immigrants and strengthen national security.
The Pentagon has not released official information about the mobilization or the exact date it will take place. However, broadcasters like CNN claim that thousands of soldiers will be mobilized. THE Fox Newsciting a Pentagon official, stated that there will be 1,500 men.
These reinforcements will add to the 2,200 active-duty troops and 4,500 Texas National Guard reservists already deployed at the border.
According to the CNNthe new troops will perform similar functions to those already present, focusing on supporting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offices with logistical and administrative tasks such as vehicle maintenance and data entry.
During his first term, Trump ordered the deployment of 5,200 troops to the border with Mexico.
Trump will evaluate over the next 90 days the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807, which would allow the military to assume law enforcement functions within the country, in a role closer to that currently played by security forces.
Currently, troops deployed at the border are not authorized to perform police functions, such as arresting migrants or seizing drugs.
In the USA, laws such as the Posse Comitatus of 1878 prohibit the armed forces from acting as police on American soil.