White House backs major legislation to speed up deportations

Fox News

05-06-2025

EXCLUSIVE: The White House is backing legislation to expedite the timeline for executing removal orders for illegal immigrants.
The Rapid Expulsion of Migrant Offenders who Violate and Evade (REMOVE) Act, led by senators Marsha Blackburn, Ted Budd and Ted Cruz would give the Department of Justice a quick 15-day timeframe to finish "removal proceedings" after an individual gets a court "notice to appear."
"Under Joe Biden's failed leadership, we saw the largest wave of illegal immigration in our nation's history, forcing communities across Tennessee and America to bear the consequences," Blackburn said in a statement Thursday, when the bill was introduced.
"With a record number of illegal aliens now living in the United States, President Trump must have every tool necessary to remove them quickly from our country. Our REMOVE Act would require these illegal aliens to begin removal proceedings within 15 days of a Notice to Appear being served," she added.
Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy, said the bill will help with the administration's deportation goals, adding the administration is aiming for 3,000 arrests daily. Immigration and Customs Enforcement broke single-day arrest records Tuesday and Wednesday with well over 2,000 arrests.
"Under the Biden Administration, the American people witnessed a full-scale invasion of our country that directly threatened our national security and sovereignty. With untold millions of illegal aliens in the U.S. due to Democrats' open-border policies, we must take strong, decisive measures to remove those who have been ordered to be removed from the United States," Miller, who's also a Homeland Security advisor for the White House, said in a statement.
"The REMOVE Act is critical legislation that will help us fulfill our mass deportation operation and get gang members, cartels, and violent criminals off the streets. Passing this legislation, in conjunction with the largest mass deportation investment in American history provided by our One Big Beautiful Bill, will ensure we permanently secure the border. Thank you to Senator Blackburn for her leadership."
Millions of people were estimated to have entered the country illegally during the Biden administration, including through the southern border.
Federal authorities have stressed removing those with criminal convictions and ties to gangs like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, which the administration designated as foreign terrorist organizations.
Others have been encouraged to self-deport before facing a potential arrest, and the federal government will pay for their exit flight and provide $1,000 after their exit from the United States is confirmed.
During Trump's first 100 days in office, over 65,000 illegal immigrants were removed from the country, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"Now, President Trump is stepping in to restore order. I'm proud to stand with Senator Blackburn and my colleagues to fast-track the removal of those who have been ordered to be removed. It's time we uphold the integrity of our immigration system to protect our nation," Budd stated.
A Pew Research Center poll from March indicated the majority of American adults back deportations of illegal immigrants to at least some extent, including 32% who back the removals of all of them, regardless of whether another crime was committed.