NEW DELHI: The Trump administration has taken a bold step in its crackdown on illegal immigration by deploying military planes for deportations, a move previously avoided under former President Joe Biden.
In a statement released on January 25, 2025, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller explained that the administration is working to address the challenges facing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is dealing with a shortage of aircraft for mass deportations.
Despite conducting hundreds of deportation flights last year, the shortage of resources has led the administration to explore new measures. Military planes, including C-17s, typically used for transporting troops, have already been utilized in deportation efforts. The White House shared photos and videos recently showcasing these operations.
ALSO READ: Putin: ‘If Trump won, Ukraine war might’ve been avoided’
Miller further revealed that the Trump administration is considering additional assets from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the State Department to facilitate deportations. The administration is also contemplating the use of commercial airlines through the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), a strategy never before used for deportations. CRAF was previously activated during the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021.
The use of commercial airlines for deportations would be an unprecedented move. Todd Harrison, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, noted that if the Trump administration decides to move large numbers of individuals, it could require significant resources, including temporary facilities for housing migrants while they await deportation.
ALSO READ: JD Vance breaks tie to confirm Pete Hegseth as defense secretary
Miller emphasized that the Trump administration is ready to act aggressively, utilizing digital footprints, financial records, and law enforcement intelligence to track and remove individuals who entered the U.S. unlawfully, including those granted humanitarian parole
