Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Trump Officials Reportedly Discussed Deporting Migrant Families
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
May 14, 2019

Share

WASHINGTON — Homeland Security officials considered arresting thousands of migrant families who had final deportation orders and removing them from the U.S. in a flashy show of force, but the idea was tabled as the Trump administration grappled with straining resources and a growing number of Central Americans crossing the border.

The idea was to arrest parents and children in 10 cities with large populations of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, specifically New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, they said, without naming others.

Two Homeland Security officials and two other people familiar with the proposal described it to The Associated Press. They were not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

The idea was to arrest parents and children in 10 cities with large populations of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, specifically New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, they said, without naming others.

The proposal, first reported by The Washington Post, was meant to send a message and possibly deter others from coming across the border, they said.

But then-Immigrations and Customs Enforcement head Ron Vitiello and then-Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen put the proposal aside over concerns about diverting resources from the border, a lack of detention space and the possibility of renewed public outrage over treatment of families.

The Trump administration separated children from parents at the southern border last summer, a move that prompted mass outrage and criticism that the U.S. was abandoning its humanitarian role and harming children. Immigration experts say the separations, which were halted last June, did little to stop migrant crossings and, in fact, may have prompted more people to come.

The Number of Border Crossings has Risen Dramatically

The number of border crossings has risen dramatically in the past few months to more than 100,000 per month. More than half are families who cannot be easily sent back to their home countries. Border officials say they are out of resources and manpower and can’t keep up.

The White House recently asked Congress for $4.5 billion in supplemental funding, mostly for humanitarian aid and shelter space for migrant children.

President Donald Trump has railed against the growing numbers and is furious that he has been unable to stem the flow of migrants despite his campaign promise to clamp down on immigration. The White House recently asked Congress for $4.5 billion in supplemental funding, mostly for humanitarian aid and shelter space for migrant children. ICE planes have been used over the past few days to fly migrants to less-crowded locations along the border for processing.

The tabled plan — it remains under consideration — included fast-tracking immigration cases to allow judges to order deportations for those who didn’t show up for hearings. It also prioritized the newest cases in order to deport people faster.

A senior administration official said enforcing the judicial orders to remove nearly 1 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally remains a top priority. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

Vitiello’s nomination to lead the immigration agency was pulled by the White House in a move last month that caught lawmakers and even the most senior Homeland Security officials off guard. Nielsen resigned just a few days later.

DON'T MISS

Luka Doncic Makes a Winning Impression in Lakers Debut

DON'T MISS

Curry Explodes for 38 Points as New-Look Warriors Beat Bucks

DON'T MISS

Musk’s Efficiency Cuts Slash $900 Million from Federal Education Research Office

DON'T MISS

Visalia Chase of Stolen Vehicle Ends in Multi-Car Crash

DON'T MISS

Bulldogs Fall at Nevada. Are They Headed for Worst Season in Nearly 50 Years?

DON'T MISS

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Jesse Armando Casares

DON'T MISS

Powell Says Fed ‘Well Positioned’ for the ‘Risks and Uncertainties’ That Lie Ahead

DON'T MISS

Coca-Cola Reverses Sales Volume Slide, Sending Revenue up 6% in the Fourth Quarter

DON'T MISS

Steve Bannon Pleads Guilty and Avoids Jail Time in Border Wall Fraud Case

DON'T MISS

Faith Groups Sue Over Immigration Arrests at Houses of Worship

UP NEXT

Fact Check: No Evidence Chelsea Clinton Took $84 Million From USAID

UP NEXT

Private Jets Collide at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona, Killing at Least 1 Person, Authorities Say

UP NEXT

Farmers Caught in Limbo as Trump’s USDA Suspends Program Funding

UP NEXT

Trump Says Ceasefire Deal Should Be Canceled if Hamas Doesn’t Release All Hostages by Saturday

UP NEXT

53% Approve of Trump’s Job Performance Amid Economic Concerns

UP NEXT

Protests Planned in All 50 States for Presidents’ Day Against Trump Administration

UP NEXT

Member of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Won’t Face Charges for Flag Protest

UP NEXT

This Isn’t the Donald Trump America Elected

UP NEXT

Vance Makes His Debut as VP on the International Stage at a High-Stakes AI Summit

UP NEXT

Global Leaders Scramble to Respond to Trump’s Unpredictable Foreign Policy

Visalia Chase of Stolen Vehicle Ends in Multi-Car Crash

37 minutes ago

Bulldogs Fall at Nevada. Are They Headed for Worst Season in Nearly 50 Years?

45 minutes ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Jesse Armando Casares

45 minutes ago

Powell Says Fed ‘Well Positioned’ for the ‘Risks and Uncertainties’ That Lie Ahead

51 minutes ago

Coca-Cola Reverses Sales Volume Slide, Sending Revenue up 6% in the Fourth Quarter

1 hour ago

Steve Bannon Pleads Guilty and Avoids Jail Time in Border Wall Fraud Case

1 hour ago

Faith Groups Sue Over Immigration Arrests at Houses of Worship

1 hour ago

Fresno Police Arrest 9 Drivers on Suspicion of DUI on Super Bowl Sunday

1 hour ago

Facing Backlash Over $500K Salary, LA’s Wildfire Recovery Czar Agrees to Work for Free

1 hour ago

Canned Tuna Sold at Trader Joe’s, Costco, H-E-B Recalled for Botulism Risk

2 hours ago

Luka Doncic Makes a Winning Impression in Lakers Debut

LOS ANGELES — Luka Doncic had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in his Lakers debut as Los Angeles beat the Utah Jazz 132-113 on Mon...

6 minutes ago

Luka Doncic's Lakers Debut
6 minutes ago

Luka Doncic Makes a Winning Impression in Lakers Debut

27 minutes ago

Curry Explodes for 38 Points as New-Look Warriors Beat Bucks

37 minutes ago

Musk’s Efficiency Cuts Slash $900 Million from Federal Education Research Office

A stolen vehicle led to a brief police pursuit in Visalia on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, before crashing into three vehicles, injuring the driver. (Visalia PD)
37 minutes ago

Visalia Chase of Stolen Vehicle Ends in Multi-Car Crash

45 minutes ago

Bulldogs Fall at Nevada. Are They Headed for Worst Season in Nearly 50 Years?

Jesse Armando Casares is Valley Crime Stoppers' Most Wanted Person of the Day for Feb. 11, 2025. (Valley Crimes Stoppers)
46 minutes ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Jesse Armando Casares

51 minutes ago

Powell Says Fed ‘Well Positioned’ for the ‘Risks and Uncertainties’ That Lie Ahead

Photo of Coca-Cola cans
1 hour ago

Coca-Cola Reverses Sales Volume Slide, Sending Revenue up 6% in the Fourth Quarter

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend