President Donald Trump has admitted that under his administration’s strict immigration policies, it’s possible that U.S. citizens could be mistakenly deported.
In a recent interview with The Atlantic, Trump defended his actions, saying no system is perfect. His comments come at a time when federal judges are criticizing the government for deporting people without giving them proper legal hearings.
Trump’s Comment: “Nothing Will Ever Be Perfect”
When asked what would happen if his administration accidentally deported an American citizen, Trump responded:
“Let me tell you that nothing will ever be perfect in this world.”
He also said that he personally is not involved in every decision:
“I have many people, many layers of people that do that.”
Trump insisted that most of the people being deported are tough and dangerous and had entered the country illegally.
The “Homegrowns Are Next” Remark
Earlier this month, Trump made another controversial comment during a conversation with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. He said “homegrowns are next,” hinting that U.S.-born citizens who are seen as threats could also be deported in the future.
This came up after the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran father deported to a violent mega-prison by mistake. Even though U.S. attorneys admitted it was an administrative error, Trump’s team refuses to bring him back, claiming he is linked to the MS-13 gang.
Judges Slam Lack of Due Process
Trump’s administration is facing strong criticism from multiple federal judges:
- A Louisiana judge said a two-year-old U.S. citizen was deported to Honduras without any meaningful process.
- In Washington, D.C., a judge found probable cause to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for ignoring court orders about deportations.
- The administration has also faced criticism for using the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 wartime law, to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members without proper hearings.
Even the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to continue using the law for now, but warned that deportees must still receive a notice and opportunity to challenge their removal.
Trump Wants Faster Deportations
Trump has openly said he wants deportations to happen quickly — without long trials.
Last week, he said from the Oval Office:
“We’re getting them out, and a judge can’t say, ‘No, you have to have a trial.’ The trial is going to take two years.”
On his Truth Social platform, he added:
“We cannot give everyone a trial, because to do so would take, without exaggeration, 200 years.”
Trump believes that faster deportations are necessary to keep the country safe, even if that means skipping traditional legal protections.