In the wake of Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have aggressively pursued denaturalization and deportation policies rooted in the original MAGA agenda, bolstered by a staggering $170 billion infusion from recent congressional spending bills. These measures, outlined in Project 2025 blueprints, aim to revoke citizenship from naturalized Americans accused of fraud or lacking “good moral character,” while ramping up deportations to an ambitious target of one million annually. DOJ directives have instructed attorneys to prioritize such cases, signaling a dramatic escalation in enforcement that includes re-arresting individuals already in removal proceedings and exploring third-country deportations to expedite the process. This continuation reflects Trump’s campaign promises, transforming ICE into a highly resourced machine focused on mass removals, even as legal experts warn of constitutional violations.

The policies have sparked innovative and controversial tactics, such as leveraging “moral character” loopholes to target critics like Elon Musk or political figures, and deploying an additional 20,000 officers to bolster deportation forces. ICE’s expanded budget has enabled high-profile stunts, including proposals for alligator-moated detention centers and Alcatraz revivals, while accelerating removals through quick expulsions in border “loss of control” scenarios. Critics argue this represents a complete sea change in immigration enforcement, with DHS pressuring local jurisdictions and prioritizing cases involving serious crimes or national security threats, though the net has widened to include broader categories of naturalized citizens. Despite pushback on their legality, these actions underscore a commitment to fulfilling MAGA’s hardline stance, with Trump administration officials framing them as essential for restoring order amid ongoing border challenges.

These aggressive policies persist undeterred by vocal complaints from what some conservative commentators dub the “new confederacy”—a rhetorical jab at the Democratic Party and progressive allies, likening their opposition to historical resistance against federal authority. Figures like Maine Governor Janet Mills and other blue-state leaders have decried the measures as unconstitutional overreach, fueling accusations of a “new confederacy” defending entrenched interests against national unity efforts. Even as Fox News hosts and MAGA supporters amplify this narrative to dismiss critics as modern-day secessionists, the administration forges ahead, viewing the backlash as validation of their mandate to prioritize American citizens and secure borders against perceived threats.