Border militias are preparing to support Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans

Border militias thrived under the first Trump administration, emboldened by increasing anti-immigrant and nativist rhetoric. The Oath Keepers, one of the largest militias until its founder and dozens of its members were arrested for their role in the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, have long been active on the border. (This has been a point of contention between some chapters, as some members have felt that border vigilance undermines the authority of the Border Patrol and therefore runs counter to their respect for law enforcement.) The Proud Boys are reportedly stationed at the border. According to reports, smaller cells also looked for people who had crossed the border illegally.

Over the years, many of these groups operated with carte blanche from local authorities. Sheriff Mark Lamb of Pinal County, Arizona, told the Los Angeles Times that he believes civil operations along the border are constitutionally protected activities, but acknowledged that it can occasionally cause headaches in actual law enforcement when a group of armed people Men walk around in camouflage because “we often don’t know who the good guys and the bad guys are.” (Lamb is a constitutional sheriff, meaning he believes sheriffs have ultimate authority and are answerable only to God, not the federal government).

Once Trump takes office, some paramilitaries hope they will receive tacit approval from the government to operate vigilante operations at the border. A Telegram group aimed at self-identifying members of various militia groups has been abuzz with conversations about Trump’s border plans. “I would be very happy if they represented civilians in the war against invasion from the borders,” wrote one member of the chat. “Yes sir, I checked with someone close to this administrator,” someone replied. “Something has to be done because the problem is huge and the manpower needs will be enormous.” When someone suggested that the militiamen stop their operations, another member accused them of being “federates” or “victims of reclusive psyops.” .

“Anyone caught preventing patriots from constitutionally uniting on a large scale is suspect,” they wrote. “The basic premise of the militia is constitutional UNION.” Another dreamed of how “formerly trained patriots” could deal with cartels at the border during Trump’s mass deportations.

These fantasies also spread on social media. “The unconstitutional, illegal, premeditated border invasion is the real insurrection, so the Insurrection Act should be applied and the militia/military should be called in to put it down immediately,” one person wrote on Truth Social last week. “Happy MAGA militia!!”

And the Proud Boys of South Texas reposted a meme showing a group of soldiers in the back of a truck with the caption: “The boys and I when represented as ICE under Trump’s second term.”

For some, the idea of ​​becoming vicarious is more than just a meme. “We’ll hear about the plans at the end of January,” Foley said. “We told them we’re here if you need us, if you need help educating or clarifying. Just let us know.”