Trump Administration to Launch Major Immigration Raids

As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, plans for extensive immigration raids targeting undocumented migrants, particularly in "sanctuary" cities, have been confirmed. The operation, spearheaded by Tom Homan, aims to prioritize criminals and gang members, but may also result in broader deportations affecting longstanding residents.

As the Trump administration gears up for its first day, significant immigration raids are on the horizon, sources have indicated. These operations, spearheaded by President-elect Trump's appointed "border tsar," Tom Homan, will focus on removing illegal immigrants residing in the U.S. without permission. Reports suggest that the raids may commence in places like Chicago, known for its substantial migrant community, beginning as early as Tuesday.

Homan has expressed intentions for what he terms a "big raid," which would be part of Trump's larger narrative surrounding the enforcement of immigration laws and the elimination of undocumented communities. Trump, a Republican, previously laid the groundwork for an extensive deportation policy back in 2017 but ultimately deported fewer undocumented immigrants than his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, during his initial four years in office.

The operations targeting so-called "sanctuary" cities, which suppress cooperation with federal immigration officials, are expected to commence immediately following Trump's inauguration. According to insiders speaking to CBS, local ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents in the Chicago area have proactively sought participation in these raids, even without appropriate oversight from higher-ups in Washington, D.C.

"On January 21st, expect to see a considerable presence of ICE agents in your cities targeting criminals and gang members," Homan warned a Republican audience in Chicago last month. Anticipated locations for these raids extend beyond Chicago to include major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Denver, and Miami, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

Concerns are mounting among religious communities, particularly in areas with high immigrant populations. Local worshippers at a church in Chicago expressed anxiety over potential family separations and the ramifications of these raids. "If someone with five children gets taken, who will take the children in?" voiced Reverend Emma Lozano, echoing a sentiment shared widely among families affected by these anticipated enforcement actions.

Under the Democratic administration of Joe Biden, ICE was generally instructed to prioritize the arrest of undocumented immigrants with significant criminal backgrounds. However, Trump's proposed adjustments might allow for the apprehension of all illegal migrants, regardless of their past, raising alarms among immigrant advocacy groups.

Moreover, it is expected that previously disbanded immigration raids at construction sites will see a resurgence, increasing the likelihood of undocumented laborers being captured by federal officials. Challenges regarding capacity and resources for holding detainees could pose operational difficulties for authorities carrying out such sweeping enforcement measures.

As Trump’s administration nears its start, the Laken Riley Act, aiming to detain migrants suspected of criminal activity, is anticipated to be passed by Congress, which may further bolster the government's impending immigration crackdown.