January 22, 2025 President Donald J. Trump Declares a National Emergency at the Southern Border - Executive Order
- Feb 19
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 20
Executive Order Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border
National Emergency Declared: President Trump signed an Executive Order invoking the National Emergencies Act in response to the crisis at the southern border, citing a record level of illegal immigration into the U.S. over the past four years.
Military Deployment: The Executive Order directs the Secretary of Defense to deploy additional personnel, including members of the Armed Forces and National Guard, to the southern border to assist with border security.
Border Security Efforts: The Order also mandates that the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security complete the construction of the border wall and grant the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) flexibility to operate air missions near the border.
Federal Government Accountability: The Order criticizes the federal government for its failure to enforce the border, claiming that states like Texas have been forced to take measures to prevent illegal crossings, which were allegedly hindered by federal actions to reduce state barriers.
Impact of Illegal Immigration:
Border Encounters: From fiscal years 2021 to 2024, there were 8.72 million border encounters at the southern border.
Human Trafficking: Approximately 550,000 unaccompanied alien children were encountered at the border since fiscal year 2021.
Drug Overdose Deaths: Fentanyl and other drugs have contributed to the deaths of roughly 75,000 Americans in 2023, making it the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45.
Violence and Gangs: Dangerous gangs, such as the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua, have reportedly taken control of and terrorized U.S. cities. Additionally, the Order references murders of U.S. citizens, naming individuals such as Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray, and Rachel Morin.
Previous Actions and Promises:
In response to earlier surges of illegal immigration, President Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border in February 2019 and February 2020, leading to a decrease in the number of people attempting to enter the U.S.
President Trump’s 2024 Executive Order reiterates his promise to declare an emergency to secure the border, use military resources where necessary, and protect Americans from foreign threats.
Previous Statements: In 2018, President Trump described illegal immigration as a burden on American workers, taxpayers, public safety, and resources, costing the country billions of dollars each year. He committed to using every lawful action at his disposal to address the crisis.
Writer's Note: Summary made with the use of AI tools for editing and quick processing, facts checked against the order before publishing.
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