Vice President JD Vance made it clear in a recent interview that the Trump administration remains committed to enforcing federal immigration laws and deporting illegal immigrants on a large scale. Speaking with columnist Ross Douthat, Vance criticized judicial interference that prevents elected leaders from executing immigration policies that the public overwhelmingly supports.
“You cannot have a country where the American people keep on electing immigration enforcement, and the courts tell the American people they’re not allowed to have what they voted for,” Vance said. His comments reflect growing frustration within the administration over legal rulings that have blocked or delayed efforts to secure the southern border and remove individuals who entered the country unlawfully.
Vance emphasized that true success in immigration reform isn’t merely about raw deportation numbers. “Success to me is that we have established a set of rules and principles that the courts are comfortable with,” he said, noting that the administration is focused on building the infrastructure necessary for large-scale deportations when surges of illegal crossings occur.
He acknowledged the legal complexities, but reaffirmed the administration’s intent to push immigration cases through the courts, including the Supreme Court. The administration aims not just to win individual battles but to establish a sustainable legal framework for future enforcement.
Vance also defended President Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport suspected gang members who are in the country illegally, saying critics have failed to grasp the real-life consequences of unchecked illegal immigration. He urged the media to report from communities heavily affected by illegal immigration, particularly those with a high ratio of undocumented residents.
“The level of chaos, the level of violence, the level of, I think, truly pre-modern brutality that some of these communities have gotten used to,” Vance said, should motivate stronger action and justify serious federal measures. He argued that existing law provides the government with the tools it needs to address these threats, but that political and legal barriers often stand in the way.
As the administration prepares for potential legal battles ahead, the strategy is not only to remove those in the country illegally but also to affirm the principle that the rule of law must reflect the will of the electorate. Vance’s remarks come at a time when immigration continues to be one of the most divisive issues in American politics, and they underscore a broader effort to align policy enforcement with public expectations.
The administration’s stance reflects a belief that border control is a national security issue, and that continued inaction or judicial obstruction risks long-term harm to communities across the country. Vance’s position signals that the White House is not backing down and is instead preparing for a prolonged legal and political battle to restore order to the immigration system.
