Trump’s Office of Remigration Sparks Fears of Far-Right Ethnic Purge
A new State Department proposal to deport immigrants and “non-assimilated” citizens draws from extremist European ideologies, alarming advocates and communities.
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s recent proposal to establish an Office of Remigration within the State Department has sent shockwaves through immigrant communities and advocates alike, raising alarms about the normalization of a far-right ideology that seeks to expel migrants and minorities from Western nations.
As reported by WIRED on May 29, this move signals a bold step toward implementing “remigration,” a policy rooted in extremist European circles that aims to create racially homogeneous societies by removing immigrants—legal or not—and even citizens deemed “non-assimilated.”
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What is Remigration?
Remigration is not a new concept, but its growing traction in the U.S. is deeply troubling. Originating in far-right European movements, particularly through figures like Austrian activist Martin Sellner, remigration calls for the systematic removal of immigrants and minorities to preserve what proponents describe as “cultural continuity.” The ideology is tied to the baseless “great replacement” conspiracy theory, which claims that white Christian populations are being deliberately replaced by non-white immigrants. Sellner’s three-phase plan—starting with deporting undocumented immigrants, followed by legal residents who are seen as a “burden,” and finally targeting “non-assimilated” citizens—has gained a foothold among European far-right groups like Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) and Austria’s Freedom Party.
Now, this dangerous ideology appears to be finding a home in the U.S. The proposed Office of Remigration, detailed in a 136-page State Department document, would serve as a hub for coordinating deportations and “voluntary” repatriations, aligning closely with Sellner’s vision. The office is described as a platform to advance “the President’s immigration agenda,” which includes policies like ending family reunification, cutting humanitarian aid, and offering financial incentives for self-deportation—tactics straight out of Sellner’s playbook.
The Trump Connection
While President Trump has not frequently used the term “remigration” in public, his rhetoric and policies echo its core tenets. In a September 2024 post on X, Trump vowed to “end the migrant invasion” through mass deportations and the termination of programs like the CBP One App, explicitly referencing “remigration.” His close adviser, Stephen Miller, amplified this message, declaring “REMIGRATION!” as a key component of Trump’s plan to address immigration in small-town America.
The administration’s actions further align with remigration’s goals. For example, invoking the Alien Enemies Act in March 2025 to justify mass removals and offering $1,000 stipends for undocumented immigrants to self-deport mirror Sellner’s strategies for “immediate stabilization” of migration. These policies are already in motion, with WIRED reporting that the first group of 64 self-deportees has arrived in Honduras and Colombia.
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A Growing Global Movement
The rise of remigration isn’t confined to the U.S. Earlier this month, the first-ever Remigration Summit near Milan drew 400 attendees, including far-right lawmakers from across Europe and two American speakers, Jacky Eubanks and Cyan Quinn. Eubanks, a Trump-endorsed Christian nationalist, and Quinn, tied to the white nationalist White Papers Policy Institute, pushed for policies like a complete immigration moratorium and repatriation payments for legal residents and citizens. Their presence underscores the growing transatlantic collaboration among far-right groups, with U.S. extremists drawing inspiration from their European counterparts.
Wendy Via, CEO of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, told WIRED that the Office of Remigration is a step toward normalizing ethnic cleansing. “It is a terrible day for our country when ‘remigration’ proponents are crediting the US and Trump’s administration for normalizing the term,” she said. The New York Young Republican Club has also embraced the movement, urging supporters to report “suspicious” individuals to ICE and framing remigration as a “global movement.”
What This Means for Migrants
For immigrant communities, the implications of an Office of Remigration are dire. The policy’s broad scope threatens not only undocumented individuals but also legal residents and citizens who may be labeled “non-assimilated.” This vague term could be weaponized to target minority groups, particularly those who don’t fit a narrow definition of “American” identity. The administration’s proposed cuts to legal aid for unaccompanied migrant children and its aggressive deportation tactics signal a broader assault on immigrant rights.
The transnational nature of this movement is equally concerning. As European far-right groups look to the U.S. for inspiration, the creation of an Office of Remigration could embolden similar policies worldwide, further endangering vulnerable populations.
