President Donald Trump has launched an unprecedented crackdown on illegal immigration, with military-led deportation flights now underway. The White House confirmed on Friday that C-17 Globemaster III planes have begun transporting migrants out of the United States, fulfilling one of Trump’s key campaign promises to restore law and order at the southern border.
“Deportation flights have begun,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on X, alongside photos of shackled migrants boarding military aircraft. “President Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the entire world: if you illegally enter the United States of America, you will face severe consequences.”
At least two military planes have already flown migrants to Guatemala, with one taking off from Biggs Army Field near Fort Bliss in Texas, according to defense officials. The Guatemalan Migration Institute confirmed the return of 79 nationals, including 31 women and 48 men.
Leavitt emphasized the administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws, calling the operation the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. “The Trump Administration also deported hundreds of illegal immigrant criminals via military aircraft,” she said. “Promises made. Promises kept.”
The deportation flights coincide with a massive immigration enforcement operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Over 538 illegal migrants were arrested, and 373 detainers were issued within a single week.
Among those apprehended were individuals deemed serious threats to national security, including a suspected terrorist, four members of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang, and several illegal immigrants convicted of sex crimes against minors.
The arrests spanned migrants from more than a dozen countries, including Afghanistan, Angola, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, and Venezuela. This wide-ranging operation underscores the global nature of the illegal immigration crisis and the administration’s determination to address it.
In addition to deportation flights, the Trump administration has deployed 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border. These troops will provide logistical support, including flying helicopters for surveillance and assisting with barrier construction, Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses confirmed.
“This is just the beginning,” Salesses said. “In short order, the department will develop and execute additional missions in cooperation with DHS, federal agencies, and state partners to address the full range of threats outlined by the President at our nation’s borders.”
Approximately 2,500 military personnel were already stationed at the border, and the new deployment brings additional reinforcements to bolster Customs and Border Protection (CBP) efforts. Up to 2,000 Marines could be called in if further manpower is required.
This comprehensive approach to border security highlights the Trump administration’s resolve to protect American sovereignty and ensure the safety of its citizens. By combining military resources with federal immigration enforcement, President Trump is making good on his promise to prioritize Americans over illegal migrants.
Critics will undoubtedly decry these measures as too harsh, but Trump’s supporters see them as necessary steps to reclaim the integrity of the nation’s borders. As Karoline Leavitt aptly put it: “Promises made. Promises kept.”
Under Trump’s leadership, the United States is sending a clear message to the world: the era of unchecked illegal immigration is over, and America will no longer tolerate its laws being flagrantly disregarded. This is what real leadership looks like.