CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Just moments after being sworn in, President Donald Trump announced plans to crack down on immigration.
During his speech in Washington, D.C. Monday, Trump announced plans to declare a national emergency at the border. He also announced plans to issue ten executive orders from ending birthright citizenship, to suspending refugee settlements and deploying military personnel to the southern border.
“Illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came,” Trump said.
While the administration has pointed to crime and safety as a reason behind the aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration, an advisory group led by tech billionaire, Elon Musk, addressed the financial impacts.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) estimated undocumented immigrants cost the American taxpayers upwards of $150 billion in 2023.
“As commander in Chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions,” Trump said.
The administration is already zeroing in on specific sanctuary cities. As early as Tuesday, large-scale deportations are set to begin in Chicago.
The city’s mayor, Brandon Johnson has openly opposed the plan, saying Chicago law forbids the Chicago Police Department from coordinating with ICE.
“For many, the chapter that awaits brings a level of anxiety and fear, and we know that fear doesn’t come from our God,” Johnson said.
While North Carolina does not have any sanctuary cities, the American Immigration Council estimated about 315,000 undocumented immigrants live across the state, a large portion in the Charlotte area.
According to the council, mass deportations would drastically impact the city’s labor force.
