Military Aircraft Used for Deportation as Trump Expands Fast-Track Authority/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration announced the expansion of “expedited removal” nationwide, allowing immigration officers to deport migrants without court hearings. Deportation flights using military aircraft have also commenced, with the first flight repatriating 75-80 Guatemalans from Texas. Critics warn that these measures risk wrongful deportations and undermine due process.
Deportation Crackdown: Quick Looks
- Fast-Track Deportation Expansion: Expedited removal now applies across the U.S., bypassing immigration courts.
- Military Deportation Flights: Military planes like C-17s are now used for repatriation efforts.
- First Flights: Approximately 75-80 Guatemalans deported from Biggs Army Airfield.
- Criticism: Advocates say policies risk wrongful deportation and violate migrants’ rights.
- Executive Actions: Trump targets Biden-era policies, including expanded enforcement near schools and churches.
Side Headlines:
- Military Planes in Action: Deportation flights begin under Trump’s immigration agenda.
- Fast-Track Controversy: Expanded expedited removal criticized for risking legal errors.
- Newark Tensions: Local officials decry recent ICE arrests of undocumented residents and U.S. citizens.
- Broadening Enforcement: Trump lifts restrictions near sensitive locations like schools.
Military Aircraft Used for Deportation as Trump Expands Fast-Track Authority
Deep Look
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration has intensified its immigration enforcement strategy with two significant developments: the nationwide expansion of “expedited removal” authority and the deployment of military aircraft for deportation flights. These measures reflect the administration’s sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration, but they have drawn sharp criticism from advocates and local officials alike.
Fast-Track Deportation: A Nationwide Shift
The administration announced Friday that immigration officers now have expanded authority to deport migrants without requiring a court hearing. Known as “expedited removal,” the policy previously applied only to individuals arrested within 100 miles of the U.S. border and within two weeks of entering the country. Now, it can be used nationwide.
According to a notice in the Federal Register, the administration claims the expansion will “enhance national security and public safety while reducing government costs.”
Under expedited removal, migrants must prove to the satisfaction of immigration officers that they have the right to remain in the U.S., with limited exceptions for those seeking asylum.
Critics argue that the policy undermines due process and could lead to the wrongful deportation of individuals legally entitled to remain in the country. “This approach carries a significant risk of error and fails to adequately protect those fleeing danger,” said Amanda Torres, a policy analyst with the Migration Policy Institute.
The expedited removal authority was initially introduced in 1996 and broadened in 2004. Its latest expansion is part of President Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which has included deploying military troops to the border, restricting enforcement-free zones near schools and churches, and suspending key Biden-era refugee pathways.
Deportation Flights Using Military Aircraft
Simultaneously, the administration has begun deportation flights using military planes. On Thursday evening, the first flight departed from Biggs Army Airfield in Texas, repatriating 75-80 Guatemalans who had recently crossed the border.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the start of these flights with images showing migrants handcuffed and boarding military aircraft. “President Trump is sending a strong and clear message: if you illegally enter the United States, you will face severe consequences,” Leavitt wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Military aircraft such as C-17 Globemasters and C-130 Hercules planes have been deployed to support deportation efforts in hubs like San Diego and El Paso. While deportation flights are routine, the use of military planes represents an unprecedented escalation.
Backlash in Newark Over ICE Arrests
The intensified immigration enforcement has sparked backlash in cities like Newark, New Jersey. Local officials condemned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after agents reportedly detained undocumented residents and U.S. citizens during a raid on a local business.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democrat, criticized the arrests and announced a news conference to address the issue. “We will not stand by while our residents, including U.S. citizens, are swept up in this misguided crackdown,” Baraka said.
A Broader Vision for Immigration Policy
Friday’s announcements are part of a broader vision outlined by President Trump in executive orders earlier this week. These actions aim to increase interior enforcement while further tightening border security.
Key measures include:
- National Emergency Declaration: The president described illegal immigration as an “invasion.”
- Sensitive Location Enforcement: Longstanding restrictions on enforcement near schools, churches, and hospitals have been lifted.
- Refugee Program Suspension: The administration has indefinitely halted the U.S. refugee admissions program.
Critics Sound Alarm
The administration’s aggressive actions have drawn widespread criticism from immigration advocates and policy experts. Michael Coen, a former FEMA chief of staff under Biden, warned that policies like expedited removal risk creating chaos:
“The system relies on due process. Stripping that away invites errors that can harm people legally entitled to protection.”
Others have questioned the financial and logistical implications of using military resources for deportations. The deployment of military aircraft for immigration enforcement, typically a civilian responsibility, has also sparked concerns about militarization.
What’s Next?
As deportation flights and expedited removal proceed, the long-term impact of these measures remains uncertain. Analysts caution that heightened enforcement could deter migrants temporarily but may fail to address the root causes driving migration, such as violence and economic instability in Central America.
For now, the administration appears committed to its hardline approach, signaling that its immigration crackdown will continue to escalate in the months ahead.
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