Poli Alert Politics & Civics
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Jimmy Williams
President-elect Donald Trump said Thursday that one of his first priorities upon taking office in January will be to implement stricter border security measures and begin mass deportations, citing a “mandate to bring common sense” to immigration policies. Trump’s promises to secure the border were central to his successful campaign against Vice President Kamala Harris, and he reaffirmed his commitment in a phone interview with NBC News, saying the U.S. “has no choice.”
“We obviously have to make the border strong and powerful,” Trump said. “We want people to come into our country…but they have to come in with love for the country. They have to come in legally.”
During the campaign, Trump pledged the “largest deportation effort in American history.” When asked about potential costs, he dismissed budget concerns, arguing that deporting undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal histories, is a national priority. “It’s not a question of a price tag,” he stated. “When people have killed and murdered, when drug lords have destroyed countries, and now they’re going to go back to those countries… There is no price tag.”
Despite this stance, executing such a large-scale plan may present logistical challenges. Acting ICE Director Patrick J. Lechleitner acknowledged in July that such an effort would require significant resources and coordination across multiple federal agencies, including Justice and Defense.
Trump credited his firm stance on immigration as a factor in his win, including his unexpected gains with Latino, Asian American, and young voters. “They want to have borders, and they like people coming in, but they have to come in legally,” he said. He described his coalition as diverse, with support from groups who, he argues, feel Democrats are “out of touch” on key issues, including police funding and immigration.
After his victory, Trump received congratulatory calls from both Harris and President Joe Biden. Trump described their conversations as “very respectful,” saying, “Harris talked about transition…she said she’d like it to be as smooth as can be, which I agree with.” Biden, who made an appeal for unity on Thursday, told Americans to “accept the choice the country made” in electing Trump.
According to Trump, he and Biden agreed to meet “very shortly” for lunch, a traditional gesture of goodwill following an election. He has also been in contact with numerous world leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom he said he had a “very good talk.”
Notably, Trump said he had not yet spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin but expected to do so soon. As part of his campaign, Trump pledged to end Russia’s war in Ukraine through negotiations. He has previously stated that he would broker a peace deal “that’s good for both sides.”
Trump’s win, which included reclaiming key battleground states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, reflects what he calls a shift in American politics. “The people are aligned with me,” he said. “They want strong borders, and they want people coming in legally. They want order.”
