Trump's Administration Plans Sweeping Immigration Raids from Day One

Raids aiming to detain and deport undocumented migrants are expected to commence on the first full day of Donald Trump's presidency, targeting sanctuary cities with a focus on criminals and gang members, as indicated by Tom Homan, the incoming "border czar."

Raids targeting undocumented immigrants living in the United States are scheduled to begin as early as the first full day of President-elect Donald Trump's administration, according to sources close to CBS. The operations, spearheaded by Tom Homan, Trump's new "border czar," are anticipated to kick off in high-density migrant cities, primarily targeting the Windy City, Chicago.

Homan has committed to a crackdown on illegal immigrants, with a focus on deporting individuals considered criminals or affiliated with gangs. In a recent interview, he stated, "January 21st, you're going to look for a lot of ICE agents in your city looking for criminals and gang members," emphasizing that Chicago will be at the forefront of these mass deportations.

Trump has previously declared intentions for the most extensive deportation efforts in U.S. history, having promised similar actions during his 2017 campaign. While the Trump administration's previous enforcement actions resulted in fewer deportations than those conducted during Obama’s tenure, Homan's strategy indicates a shift towards targeting sanctuary cities—those which limit cooperation with federal agents.

In preparation for these raids, ICE officials in Chicago have reportedly requested local agents to participate without prior notice to their Washington, D.C. superiors. Other major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Denver, and Miami, are also on the radar for these aggressive enforcement operations.

Concerns among local residents run high, particularly in Chicago's Latino neighborhoods. One congregant, D Camacho, expressed her fears, stating: "I'm scared, but I can't imagine what people without papers are feeling." Reverend Emma Lozano highlighted the potential family separations resulting from these actions, asking critical questions about who would care for children if their parents are detained.

While the current Biden administration faced criticism for its prioritization of serious criminals for arrest, Trump's impending policy could put all undocumented migrants at greater risk, regardless of their criminal history. Furthermore, with anticipation of renewed operations at construction sites—traditionally filled with undocumented workers—ICE could face logistical challenges, including limited detention capacity.

In conjunction with these raids, the Laken Riley Act, named after a victim of a violent crime involving an undocumented immigrant, is poised for passage in Congress, mandating the detention of illegal migrants suspected of criminal activity. As these developments unfold, the landscape of U.S. immigration enforcement is set to undergo a significant transformation.