Senator John Thune (R-SD) expressed reservations about the feasibility of a mass deportation plan during a recent interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” When asked about President-elect Trump’s stated intention to deport all undocumented immigrants, Senator Thune acknowledged the significant number of undocumented individuals in the United States, estimating over 10 million arrivals in the last four years. He emphasized the need to prioritize the deportation of those who have committed crimes, citing the approximately 1.4 million individuals already identified for deportation by the current administration. This group, he argued, should be the focus, alongside individuals apprehended at the border who are linked to terrorist activities, gangs, or cartels.
Thune stressed the importance of border security as a crucial first step. He advocated for increased resources for border patrol and ICE agents, including the implementation of physical and technological barriers to deter illegal immigration. He reiterated his previously stated belief that deporting *every* undocumented immigrant is unrealistic, emphasizing that the process would be lengthy and resource-intensive. While acknowledging the scale of the challenge, Senator Thune proposed a phased approach, beginning with the deportation of criminals and those deemed a threat to national security, before addressing the broader issue of undocumented immigration. He indicated that the specifics of this approach would be determined by the incoming administration.