President-elect Donald Trump is set to implement a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration immediately after his inauguration, marking the beginning of what he has described as the most extensive deportation operation in US history. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the operation will commence with a large-scale immigration raid in Chicago, deploying up to 200 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in the city over the course of a week. Sources indicate that this initiative will not be confined to Chicago, with simultaneous raids planned in major cities across the United States, including New York and Miami, signaling a nationwide push to detain and deport undocumented immigrants.
“We are going to be doing operations all across the country,” a source told the Wall Street Journal. “You are going to see arrests in New York. You are going to see arrests in Miami.” The coordinated actions will represent the first major step in Trump’s campaign promise to drastically tighten immigration enforcement and reverse what he has characterized as overly lenient policies under the Biden administration.
During his campaign, Trump vehemently criticized Joe Biden’s immigration policies, which he blamed for what he called a surge in illegal immigration. Trump’s incoming ICE chief, Tom Homan, has already issued stern warnings to local authorities, particularly targeting Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Homan has threatened to prosecute officials who attempt to interfere with federal immigration operations, stating, “If the Chicago mayor doesn’t want to help, he can step aside. But if he impedes us, if he knowingly harbors or conceals an illegal alien, I will prosecute him.”
The crackdown is expected to focus on undocumented immigrants with prior criminal convictions, although the exact scope of the operation remains unclear. Reports suggest that the raids will also target individuals accused of theft and violent crimes, with the administration emphasizing its intent to prioritize public safety. Central to Trump’s immigration agenda is the anticipated signing of the Laken Riley Act, named after a Georgia student who was killed by an undocumented Venezuelan immigrant last year. The proposed legislation would mandate the detention of migrants accused of certain crimes, including theft and violence, and is likely to be among the first bills signed into law after Trump takes office.
In addition to increased enforcement, Trump plans to mobilize multiple government agencies to assist in achieving record deportation numbers. His administration’s goals appear to reflect an ambition to outpace the outgoing Biden administration’s record-breaking deportation figures. Notably, under Biden, the US deported 271,000 undocumented immigrants in the past year, the highest number in a decade and a figure that even exceeded Trump’s first-term record, according to the BBC.
The raids and legislation come amidst heightened political and social tensions over immigration policy, with critics warning that such measures could lead to widespread fear and disruption in immigrant communities. Immigration advocacy groups have already expressed concerns about the potential for racial profiling and violations of civil liberties during these operations. Despite this, Trump and his team remain unapologetic, framing their efforts as essential to restoring law and order.
Trump’s controversial stance on immigration has been a cornerstone of his political identity, and his return to the White House following a decisive victory over Kamala Harris in the presidential election marks the beginning of a new chapter in US immigration policy. His supporters argue that his actions are necessary to secure the nation’s borders and protect American jobs, while detractors fear that such aggressive measures could undermine the country’s humanitarian values and destabilize immigrant communities.
The upcoming raids and the Laken Riley Act represent just the initial phases of Trump’s broader plan to reshape US immigration policy. With his inauguration set for January 20, the international community and domestic stakeholders alike are bracing for a renewed era of stringent immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
