Washington D.C., Jan 21 (V7N) — Hours after taking the oath of office for his second term as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump declared a state of emergency along the US-Mexico border. He also announced the immediate deployment of troops to secure the southern border.

The announcement, reported by AFP on Tuesday, marks one of Trump's first executive actions since his inauguration on Monday. Addressing the nation from the Oval Office, Trump stated, "This is an important order. I have no issue with legal immigration. We need people, and I support it. But illegal immigration cannot continue."

Trump cited concerns about "millions of criminals" allegedly entering the country through the border and vowed to deport them immediately.

In a bold move, Trump also announced his intent to revoke birthright citizenship, which grants automatic US citizenship to anyone born on American soil. He described this policy as a necessary measure to curb illegal immigration and its associated challenges.

Shortly after Trump assumed office, an app introduced under former President Joe Biden to assist asylum seekers with immigration processing was taken offline. The app had reportedly facilitated appointments for over 30,000 individuals, many of whom are now left in uncertainty.

Stephen Miller, Trump's senior adviser known for his hardline stance on immigration, declared on social media, "The doors are closed. All illegal immigrants seeking to enter the United States should return now. Unauthorized entry will result in prosecution and deportation."

In line with his campaign promises, Trump has directed troops to be stationed along the US-Mexico border. He emphasized the need for tighter control to prevent what he described as a "border crisis."

The emergency declaration and subsequent actions have sparked immediate reactions both domestically and internationally. Critics argue that these measures could exacerbate humanitarian issues and strain US relations with Mexico. Supporters, however, see it as a fulfilment of Trump's pledge to strengthen border security.

The developments mark a dramatic start to Trump's second term, signalling a return to his controversial immigration policies from his first presidency.

END/RH/AJ