In a revealing interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” President-elect Donald Trump clarified his stance on deportations, emphasizing the removal of all individuals residing illegally in the United States.

According to Breitbart, Trump stated the necessity of enforcing current laws by deporting illegal residents, potentially impacting families with mixed legal statuses.

On Sunday, during his appearance on the program, Trump argued for a broad approach to deportations, starting with criminals. He expressed his intent to deport not only those with criminal records but potentially other illegal residents as well.

Trump detailed his deportation strategy, noting, “We’re starting with the criminals, and we got to do it. And then we’re starting with others, and we’re going to see how it goes.” This approach, he said, would extend beyond criminals to include other non-criminal illegal residents.

Efforts to Keep Families Together in Deportation

One key aspect of Trump’s plan involves the families of illegal immigrants. “I don’t want to be breaking up families. So the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together, and you have to send them all back,” Trump explained.

The President-elect emphasized that this might include American citizens who are family members of illegal immigrants, indicating a harsh stance on family deportations. His focus was on adherence to laws, which he said have been bypassed by individuals entering the country illegally.

Deportation Plan Centers on Fairness

Trump also highlighted the unfair treatment of those who have followed legal procedures to enter the U.S., stating, “The people that have been treated very unfairly are the people that have been on line for 10 years to come into the country.” His plan aims to correct this perceived injustice by ensuring that all immigration laws are enforced strictly.

During the interview, NBC’s Kristen Welker questioned Trump about the specifics of who would be affected by the deportations. She brought up the estimated 4 million families with mixed immigration statuses, probing how they might be impacted.

Public and Political Reactions Anticipated

Trump’s remarks have sparked conversations about the potential wide-reaching effects of such deportations. These policies could affect millions of families, particularly those with mixed-status members.

The President-elect’s approach, while aimed at maintaining legal consistency, raises concerns about the social and ethical implications of mass deportations. “You have no choice” but to deport everyone illegally in the country, Trump said, underlining the inflexibility of his proposed measures.

Challenges Ahead for Trump’s Immigration Policies

As Trump prepares to take office, the specifics of his immigration policies are closely watched by both supporters and critics. The logistics and legality of deporting American citizens along with illegal family members pose significant challenges.

The debate over Trump’s immigration strategy is likely to continue as he moves forward with his administration's policies. How these policies will be implemented and their impact on American families remains to be seen.