U.S. immigration authorities are set to conduct large-scale arrests of undocumented immigrants across the country on Tuesday, according to a top official in the incoming administration of President Donald Trump. This operation marks one of the first major actions by the new administration to fulfill Trump’s campaign promise of deporting millions of undocumented immigrants from the United States.
Tom Homan, the incoming “border czar” and former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), confirmed the raids during an interview with Fox News on Friday. Homan, known for his role in the previous Trump administration’s controversial immigration policies, including family separations at the border, emphasized that this nationwide operation would not be limited to one city. While reports indicated that Chicago would be one of the first locations to be targeted, Homan stated that other cities across the country would also see similar actions.
“This is going to be a large-scale raid,” Homan said. “Chicago is just one of many locations. ICE will be going out and doing their job, taking the handcuffs off and arresting criminal aliens.” He explained that the raids would focus on individuals who pose public safety threats, but warned that no one in the country illegally would be exempt from enforcement.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the planned raid in Chicago could involve 100 to 200 ICE officers and is expected to last throughout the week. Chicago, along with several other Democratic-led cities, is a “sanctuary city,” meaning local authorities typically refrain from assisting federal immigration enforcement. Despite this, the Chicago Police Department has stated that they will not interfere with federal immigration operations, although they will not share information about individuals’ immigration status.
The Trump administration’s decision to ramp up immigration enforcement is likely to have significant political and social ramifications, as the nation continues to debate immigration policy and the treatment of undocumented immigrants. While Chicago’s sanctuary status may complicate the situation, the raids are a clear indication that immigration enforcement will be a priority under President Trump’s second term.