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New plans ordered by Donald Trump would give immigration officials sweeping powers to immediately detain and deport vast numbers of undocumented migrants from the US.

Previously, recent arrivals and convicted criminals were the prime targets.

But the new plan would include migrants who have been charged but not convicted of crimes, and would also apply to undocumented immigrants who have been in the country for many years.

The new powers would be granted under draft memos ordered by Trump and signed by his new Homeland Security chief John F Kelly .

The vast majority of undocumented migrants in the US have overstayed on visas, which is not in itself a federal crime. Most entered the country legally and have not crossed borders without permission.

(Image: REUTERS)

Migrant communities are reportedly living in fear after a series of raids by federal agents in at least six states led to hundreds of undocumented migrants being arrested.

During his campaign, Trump told all of America's 11 million undocumented migrants they face deportation.

His 10 point immigration plan included promises to “move criminal aliens out on day one, in joint operations with local, state and federal law enforcement”.

The memos also call for quickly hiring 10,000 more Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as well as 5,000 more border patrol agents.

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(Image: AFP)

Under the Obama administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers could only immediately detain and use ‘expedited removal proceedings’ within 100 miles of the border, for people who had been in the country for less than two weeks. These restrictions would be lifted under the new plans.

A second memo includes plans to speed up deportations by raising the bar for asylum claims and denying claims earlier in the process.

The memos appear to exclude so-called ‘Dreamers’ - young immigrants protected under Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals plan.

Trump has previously said he would hesitate to reverse the plan, adding: “It’s a very difficult thing for me, because, you know, I love these kids.”

Details of the memos are still under review by the White House, but are expected to be signed off and issued this week.