The United States Department of War, a name adopted by the Pentagon under the Trump administration, issued a stern warning to undocumented migrants this Friday: they will be detained and deported to a destination chosen by the U.S. government, with no input from the individuals involved.
This announcement was shared on the official @DeptofWar account on X, stating explicitly: "If you are in our country illegally, law enforcement will arrest you, and the Department of War will assist in deporting you to a place of our choosing. You will have no say in the matter."
The statement also highlighted that this week, the Department of War supported two repatriation flights organized by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) directed to Honduras, concluding with the phrase, "We will continue to defend our Homeland."
The phrase "to a place of our choosing" underscores a consistent U.S. immigration policy, systematically deporting migrants to third countries other than their origin, whenever there are diplomatic agreements or operational advantages.
Between January 20, 2025, and March 9, 2026, nearly 13,000 nationals from third countries were deported to Mexico. Among them, Cubans formed the largest group, with approximately 4,353 individuals sent to Mexican territory during this period.
Honduras, mentioned in today's message, remains a primary recipient of removal flights. In March 2026 alone, 43 flights deported 4,007 Hondurans, all arriving at Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport in San Pedro Sula.
The Department of War has been operating under this name since September 5, 2025, when Trump signed Executive Order 14347, titled "Restoring the United States Department of War."
This order permits Secretary Pete Hegseth and subordinate officials to use the titles "Secretary of War" and "Department of War" in official communications and non-statutory documents. The Pentagon's legal name remains the Department of Defense, as a permanent change would require Congressional approval.
The White House defended the measure as a restoration of the original "message of strength and determination": the Department of War existed from 1789 until Congress renamed it in 1949.
The aggressive tone of today's message aligns with the communication strategy employed by the Trump administration since returning to power, aimed at deterring illegal migration. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported over 605,000 deportations and 1.9 million "self-deportations" since January 20, 2025.
The Supreme Court, in 2025 and 2026, upheld the government's authority to carry out deportations to third countries, expanding executive action on immigration without requiring additional legislative approval.
Understanding U.S. Immigration Policies and Deportation
Why is the U.S. deporting migrants to third countries?
The U.S. deports migrants to third countries based on diplomatic agreements or operational convenience, allowing flexibility in immigration policy enforcement.
What is the role of the Department of War in immigration enforcement?
Under the Trump administration, the Department of War assists in deportation efforts by collaborating with agencies like CBP and ICE to manage repatriation flights and other logistical support.
How has the Supreme Court influenced deportation policies?
The Supreme Court's rulings in 2025 and 2026 have affirmed the executive branch's power to deport migrants to third countries, enhancing the government's ability to enforce its immigration policies without additional legislative approval.