USA: Trump wants to restrict basic rights for migrants

Donald Trump sees immigration as an "invasion" and wants to activate a special provision of the U.S. Constitution. This has important consequences for deportations.

The US administration of Donald Trump is considering suspending fundamental rule of law guarantees in the fight against illegal migration. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller declared: "The Constitution is clear."

Miller invokes a special rule in the U.S. Constitution: the writ of habeas corpus. This allows for the restriction of fundamental rights in the event of an invasion, limits judicial review of government decisions, and even allows for arbitrary arrests. Miller continues, adding that they are now looking into the possible suspension of this principle. "A lot depends on whether the courts do the right thing or not."

The decision would have difficult-to-predict consequences for migrants, as deportations could be carried out more rigorously.

Trump is pursuing a hardline stance on migration. He calls the influx of migrants at the southern border an "invasion" and has declared a national emergency—the basis for further measures.

In several deportations, there are doubts about the legality of the US government's actions. The plans are sometimes thwarted by the judiciary, which annoys Trump. He argues that there are too many illegal immigrants—not every case can be examined individually. Instead, those affected should be treated legally "as a group."