Trump announces plan to deport all illegal immigrants from the US

(Patria) - President-elect Donald Trump intends to deport all illegal immigrants from the US during his four-year term, but wants to protect those belonging to the so-called Dreamers group.

In an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press with Kristen Welker," Trump said he plans to issue an executive order on his first day in office to attempt to end birthright citizenship, which grants citizenship to anyone born in the US, regardless of their parents' immigration status.

Trump, a Republican who won a second term in the White House on promises of mass deportations, is expected to declare illegal immigration a national threat when he takes office on January 20 and to use federal government resources to crack down on immigrants.

The US Department of Homeland Security estimated that as of January 2022, there were about 11 million immigrants living illegally in the US, though that number is likely higher today.

In the interview aired yesterday, Welker asked Trump whether his plan is to deport everyone who is not legally in the US.

- I think it has to be done. It's a tough thing to do. You know, you have rules, regulations, laws - Trump replied.

He stated that he wants an agreement to protect immigrants who were brought to the US illegally as children - the so-called Dreamers, saying Republicans are open to that idea.

During his presidency from 2017-2021, he attempted to end the program that provides deportation relief and work permits to these immigrants, but the Supreme Court blocked it.

Trump's plans to challenge birthright citizenship will likely face legal challenges.

This right stems from an amendment to the US Constitution and is supported by a 1898 precedent in which the Supreme Court affirmed birthright citizenship.

Trump suggested that Republicans may need to push for a constitutional amendment to address the issue, which is a laborious process.