Mass deportations

Trump takes aim at recalcitrant authorities

Immigration officials and police officers receive deportees from the USA on Wednesday.

(Bild: APA/Getty Images via AFP/GETTY IMAGES/JOHN MOORE)

The US Department of Justice wants to prosecute employees of regional and local authorities who refuse to cooperate with the mass deportations planned by the new President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the US Congress passed a controversial law that significantly toughens the approach to migrants without valid residence status.

The US Department of Homeland Security is currently preparing targeted raids against undocumented migrants in several US cities. However, there could be resistance to this from local authorities - especially in municipalities that have declared themselves "sanctuary cities" for migrants. A memo from the Department of Justice, which has now become public, states that federal law prohibits employees at state and local level from "resisting", "obstructing" or otherwise failing to comply with orders on immigration matters.

US federal prosecutors and other department officials should investigate such possible "misconduct" with a view to "potential criminal prosecution", it added.

Patrols at the border wall between the United States and Mexico

(Bild: ASSOCIATED PRESS)

"Millions upon millions" are to be deported
The memo was signed by Emil Bove, the ministry's number three. The post at the head of the department has not yet been filled. Trump's nominee for Attorney General, Pam Bondi, former Attorney General of the state of Florida, is still awaiting the necessary Senate approval to take up the post.

During his inauguration on Monday, Trump announced that he would deport "millions and millions" of irregular migrants. The right-wing populist's goal, which he announced during the election campaign, is to drastically reduce the number of the estimated eleven million undocumented immigrants in the USA.

Soon to be in immigration detention centers for minor offences
The probably first law that Trump will sign in his new term of office provides for those affected to be detained in immigration detention centers even for minor offences such as shoplifting. Previously, this was only the case for serious crimes. They are to be deported directly from these centers as quickly as possible, unless there are legal obstacles.

The guilt of the specific offense does not necessarily have to be proven. A suspicion is sufficient. Those affected have no right to a hearing on the accusation, release on bail or an examination of whether they actually pose a security risk. Critics see the rule of law at risk - the risk of confusion or racially motivated false accusations is high.

The House of Representatives confirmed the "Laken Riley Act" a few days after the new president was sworn in. It is likely to be the first law signed by Trump in his second term of office. It is named after a 22-year-old student who was murdered in the state of Georgia in 2024 by an illegal immigrant from Venezuela who was already known to the police for theft. The case caused nationwide horror.

Trump's signature is considered certain. During his appearances, the Republican often brought relatives of victims who were murdered by migrants living in the country illegally to his side. In his speeches, he gave the impression that undocumented migrants are generally violent criminals. Studies do not support this narrative, on the contrary: for fear of deportation and to avoid coming into contact with the authorities, they are less likely to commit crimes than US citizens.