The notion that America is being invaded has become the defining theme of Mr Trump’s immigration policy. Hours after his inauguration the president issued ten executive orders on immigration and border enforcement “to repel the disastrous invasion of our country”.

More than 500 arrests were made yesterday before the first flights out of the United States began this evening.

Several Democratic-held states have vowed to challenge President Donald Trump's executive order that calls for the mass deportation of illegal immigrants days after Trump takes office