Border security is critically important to national security. “Aliens” who illegally enter without inspection or admission pose a threat to national security. The recent surge of illegal immigration at the southern border has placed a significant strain on federal resources and overwhelmed agencies in charge of border security. The purpose of this order is to direct all government agencies to deploy all lawful means to secure the southern border.

Enforcing immigration laws in the interior of the USA is important for public safety. Many “aliens” who enter illegally or who overstay their visas are a threat to public safety. Sanctuary cities violate federal laws by shielding illegal immigrants from removal, Tens of thousands of removable aliens have been released into our communities because their home countries refuse to take them back.

On the campaign trail in August 2016, Trump told a crowd during a campaign rally in Phoenix that he would direct law enforcement authorities to deport all convicted criminals illegally in the USA, a group he estimated to be about 2 million people. “We will begin moving them out day one,” he said. “Day one, my first hour, those people are gone.”

The BRIDGE Act, initially introduced in the Senate in 2016 was reintroduced to the new Congress, and to the House for the first time just eight days prior to President-elect Trump having a chance to revoke the executive order that granted deportation protection to DACA recipients.