Trump Administration Signals Return of Family Detentions in Immigration Plan

The incoming Trump administration is outlining a stringent approach to immigration enforcement, including the potential return of family detention centers, which were shuttered under the Biden administration. Tom Holman, Trump's border czar, shared that family detention is "on the table," though plans remain in development.

President-elect Trump has pledged to close the southern border and initiate mass deportations on his first day in office. Holman indicated that a new enforcement strategy, driven by data, is expected within weeks. He emphasized the administration's intent to avoid separating undocumented parents from their U.S. citizen children but noted families might face difficult choices if court-ordered deportations are involved.

The ACLU, which previously filed lawsuits against the family separation policy during Trump’s first term, has vowed to challenge any policy it views as unconstitutional. "There’ll be policies that violate our laws, and we’ll challenge those," an ACLU representative stated.

Immigration was a central issue in the 2024 election, with Trump’s strict stance resonating strongly among voters. However, the administration’s renewed focus on enforcement has sparked criticism from advocacy groups and legal experts, setting the stage for contentious legal battles in the months ahead.