Trump 2nd term live updates: Trump vows to fight for abortion restrictions in March for Life remarks

The White House this morning says that military deportation flights have begun as part of its new mission and troop surge along the border.

The Department of Homeland Security has always done deportation flights. What's different now -- they are using military aircraft - in this case C-17s were used, according to a U.S. official.

The photos the White House is circulating were taken Thursday, when about 75-80 recent Guatemalan nationals were repatriated from El Paso, Texas, according to a DHS official.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X: "Just as he promised, President Trump is sending a strong message to the world: those who enter the United States illegally will face serious consequences."

-ABC News' Mary Bruce, Michelle Stoddart, Luke Barr and Luis Martinez

Trump spoke with reporters as he left the White House Friday morning --- heading to North Carolina to tour areas affected by Hurricane Helene.

The president, joined by first lady Melania Trump, said people in the state were still suffering from the September storm.

"North Carolina has been treated very badly, so we're stopping there," he said.

The Trump administration has shut down processing centers in Central and South American countries that allowed migrants to apply to come to the United States legally.

The move comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending decisions on refugee cases and after the State Department suspended new applications and case processing.

The centers were part of a program started by the Biden administration called the Safe Mobility Initiative, aimed at reducing illegal immigration. Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Ecuador were among the countries that had processing centers.

"Following a decision by the US government, the Safe Mobility Initiative is no longer active," said a message posted to the Safe Mobility Initiative website. "New applications will not be accepted."

Vice President J.D. Vance swore in newly confirmed CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Thursday in the vice president's ceremonial office.

"John is a great patriot, a guy that has the trust of the president, and I think really believes deeply in the mission, first of all, keeping Americans safe, but also doing it in a way that ensures that the American people have confidence in our national intelligence services," Vance said.

Ratcliffe did not give any remarks.

Vice President J.D. Vance swore in newly confirmed CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Thursday in the vice president's ceremonial office.