New Mexico Governor Opposes Mass Deportations

President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed his plan to declare a national emergency to carry out what he describes as "the largest deportation program in American history." This initiative aims to address undocumented immigrants residing in the United States, leveraging military assistance for mass deportations. The announcement has already generated significant concern among state leaders and legal experts.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico has emerged as one of the prominent voices of opposition, asserting that her state would not participate in actions she deems illegal. In a statement to KOAT, Governor Lujan Grisham said, “We will not assist in illegal actions by any federal administration.” She argued that using the military for mass deportations falls outside existing legal boundaries, raising critical questions about the limits of presidential power and the role of state governments in federal immigration enforcement.

The proposal echoes historical precedents, particularly mass deportation efforts in the 1950s, when the U.S. military was similarly engaged. However, those efforts were marred by cases where American citizens were mistakenly deported. Chris Clem, a former Border Patrol Chief who served in the first Trump administration, reassured that modern safeguards, such as an instantaneous fingerprint database and government-issued IDs, would prevent such errors. “Back in the day, when a lot of these erroneous deportations and removals may have happened, we didn’t have the same technology to verify identities,” Clem explained.

Trump’s plan reportedly prioritizes deportations of undocumented individuals with criminal records. Clem emphasized the rationale behind the proposal: “It is about protecting American citizens. It’s about upholding the standards of law and order when it comes to national security and public safety.”

Despite the potential power of the executive branch, legal experts argue that state leaders, including Governor Lujan Grisham, can still pose challenges. KOAT legal expert John Day noted that while the president has significant authority and can override a governor's control of their state’s National Guard, there are strategic ways for state governments to impede federal efforts. “A governor can order a state agency to not provide access to files, not provide addresses—things like that, to try to impede the federal government’s effort on deportation,” Day stated.

Governor Lujan Grisham indicated that her administration is already cooperating with federal agents at the border to deport convicted felons. However, she made it clear that she plans to challenge any sweeping federal actions she believes exceed lawful bounds, stating her intention to take legal action once Trump’s plan comes into effect. The details on how the military would be deployed and how state resistance might impact the execution of the plan remain uncertain until Trump officially takes office.

FAQ

1. What did President-elect Trump announce regarding immigration? President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to declare a national emergency to conduct mass deportations of undocumented immigrants using military support.

2. Why is this announcement controversial? The use of the military for deportations is seen as controversial because it may exceed current legal frameworks, raising questions about the legality of such actions and states’ ability to oppose them.

3. How did New Mexico’s Governor respond? Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham strongly opposed Trump’s plan, stating that New Mexico would not assist in any illegal actions and plans to challenge the proposal in court.

4. Has the U.S. ever used the military for mass deportations before? Yes, the U.S. engaged the military for deportations during the 1950s, but the process was criticized for mistakenly deporting American citizens. Modern technology may reduce such errors now.

5. What can states do to resist federal deportation orders? While the president has significant authority, states can make federal operations more difficult by withholding access to state files and resources. Governors can also seek to challenge federal orders through legal channels.

6. What safeguards are in place to prevent wrongful deportations? Former officials have pointed out that current technology, including fingerprint databases and verified government IDs, could help ensure accuracy in identifying individuals targeted for deportation.

President-Elect Trump Plans Mass Deportations, Faces Pushback from New Mexico Governor