Court Ruling Bolsters Federal Authority for Deportations Under Trump Administration

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirms federal supremacy in immigration enforcement, clearing obstacles for mass deportation plans despite skepticism from Wall Street and logistical challenges.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal government has the authority to deport undocumented immigrants even if local officials oppose it, citing the Supremacy Clause.
The case stemmed from a 2019 executive order in Washington State's King County that barred ICE deportation flights from using a local airfield, which the court found violated federal agreements.
The ruling reinforces federal power over sanctuary cities and states, potentially limiting future local resistance to deportation efforts under President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump's incoming border czar, Tom Homan, has vowed to prosecute local officials who obstruct mass deportations, targeting sanctuary city leaders who have pledged opposition.
A Goldman Sachs report suggests that logistical and legal constraints may limit the scale of deportations, with Wall Street expressing skepticism about significant economic impacts from net migration changes.