In addition to military planes, the Trump administration is exploring the use of civilian aircraft to expedite its efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.

This week, the administration began using military transport planes to carry out deportations. On January 24, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller stated that President Donald Trump is prepared to escalate the operation by utilizing additional aircraft.

"There are clearly resources available from the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the State Department, commercial airlines, and leased planes that could all be employed for legal deportation operations," Miller said.

Observers speculate that Trump might activate the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), a program that compels commercial airlines to support military operations during emergencies. The CRAF was last activated during the 2021 evacuation of U.S. troops and citizens from Afghanistan.

When asked about the need for more planes, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that both military and civilian aircraft are being used to meet the demands of the campaign.

"In just one week, the administration has coordinated a record number of deportation flights," Leavitt told Fox News. "Joe Biden allowed tens of millions of illegal criminals into this country. To apprehend and deport as many as possible, Congress must pass legislation to fund border enforcement, detention centers, and deportation efforts."

During his campaign, Trump promised to address illegal immigration with stringent measures. After taking office on January 20, he declared a state of emergency at the southern border and directed aggressive actions to deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records.

On January 23, the administration launched its deportation campaign, releasing footage of undocumented immigrants boarding military C-17 transport planes at Fort Bliss in Texas. The detainees were shown in restraints, with handcuffs and shackles secured around their waists.

The Pentagon has been ordered to support the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency by organizing flights to deport undocumented immigrants. Tom Homan, former ICE director and the individual appointed by Trump to oversee the mass deportation effort, confirmed that such military flights will occur daily.

(Reported by Fox News, Axios)