Donald Trump vows to start deporting millions of illegal immigrants ‘as fast as they come in’ next week
DONALD Trump said US cops will begin deporting millions of illegal immigrants from America “as fast as they come in."
The US President said the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) would launch the dramatic crackdown next week.
He tweeted: “Next week ICE will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States.
"They will be removed as fast as they come in.”
The Republican firebrand did not offer any specifics on the move.
There are an estimated 12 million immigrants who are in the US illegally, mainly from Mexico and Central America.
Under a deal reached earlier this month, Mexico has agreed to take Central American immigrants seeking asylum until their cases are heard in US courts.
They will be removed as fast as they come in
US President Donald Trump
The agreement, which included Mexico pledging to deploy National Guard troops to stop people from reaching the southern American border, averted a Trump threat to hit Mexican imports with tariffs.
Trump also said in the tweet that Guatemala "is getting ready to sign a Safe-Third Agreement."
US Vice President Mike Pence suggested last week the country, which shares a border with Mexico, could receive asylum seekers from its neighbours as a so-called safe third country.
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Details of the plan have not been made public and Guatemala has not publicly confirmed talks that the US State Department said were taking place on Friday.
US rights group Human Rights First said, however, it was "simply ludicrous" for America to assert that Guatemala was capable of protecting refugees, when its own citizens are fleeing violence.
Mexico has agreed that if its measures to stem the flow of migrants are unsuccessful, it will discuss signing a safe third country agreement with the United States.
Trump's new immigration system
- In May, Trump unveiled a new US immigration system favouring young, educated, English-speaking applicants instead of people with family ties to Americans.
- At present, “we discriminate against genius,” he said, while pointing to Australia and New Zealand as shining examples of merit-based immigration.
- The country has long placed a preference on providing green cards to family members of immigrants.
- Under Trump's plan, it would award the same number of green cards as it does currently – about one million annually, says news agency, the Associated Press.
- But far more green cards would go to exceptional students, professionals and people with high-level and vocational degrees.
- Factors such as age, English language ability and employment offers would also be considered.
- And far fewer green cards would be given to people with relatives already in the US.
- Instead, they would be reserved just for immediate family members, particularly spouses and children rather than parents and adult siblings.
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