Donald Trump Says Local Police Will Play Key Role In His Mass Deportation Plan

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested that local police will play a key role in delivering his campaign pledge of carrying out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants if he wins re-election this November.

“Look, we have to deport a lot of people, and they have to start immediately,” Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity Thursday in an interview held near the U.S.-Mexico border, where the former president made a campaign stop.

Trump, the front-runner in the Republican presidential primary contest, said he would give local police officers immunity to carry out his plan.

“They understand who these migrants are. They know them by their first name, their last name, they know where they come from,” Trump said. “It’s going to be the local police are going to turn them over and we’re going to have to move them back to their country.”

Trump has made immigration a major focus of his 2024 presidential campaign, using tough rhetoric and pledging to bring “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history” if he returns to the White House.

His allies, including Steve Bannon, have also been pushing the extreme measure.

“Mass deportations are going to start, if you don’t like that, then don’t vote for President Trump,” Bannon said Thursday on his “War Room” podcast.

Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge David Ezra on Thursday blocked a Texas law, originally set to take effect next week, which would allow police to arrest those who cross into the country illegally and would also enable local judges to order their deportation.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has appealed the ruling.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ®, who joined Trump Thursday at his visit to the U.S. southern border, said he will continue fighting to