Stephen Miller, a key advisor on immigration policy, delivered a blunt assessment during a December 2025 press conference, emphasizing the practical challenges of providing full court trials to the estimated 15 million undocumented immigrants currently residing in the United States.

“There’s 15 million illegal aliens,” Miller stated. “If every one of them got the trial that you’re asking for, it would take centuries to remove them!” His comments underscored his view that due process in these cases should prioritize rapid deportation over extended legal proceedings, framing the approach as essential to maintaining a lawful and secure country.

Recent data from Pew Research in August 2025 supports Miller’s estimate, noting that the undocumented population has risen to approximately 14 million, up from 10.5 million in 2021. The growing numbers highlight the scale of the enforcement challenge and the potential logistical difficulties of providing individualized court hearings for each case.

Miller argued that the only form of due process necessary for those unlawfully present is deportation, asserting that legal delays hinder effective border control and undermine national sovereignty. His position aligns with Trump administration policies that emphasize strict enforcement, border security, and expedited removal for illegal entrants.

Supporters praise Miller’s stance as a realistic and firm approach to a growing national issue, noting that without expedited procedures, the U.S. would struggle to enforce immigration laws efficiently. Critics, however, contend that minimizing legal proceedings could raise human rights concerns, though the administration maintains that the priority is preserving national order while addressing the unprecedented scale of unauthorized immigration.

The press conference reinforces the administration’s ongoing commitment to strict immigration enforcement, prioritizing rapid deportations over protracted legal challenges, and highlighting the practical realities faced by federal agencies tasked with managing the nation’s borders and immigration system.