Mass Arrests of Undocumented Migrants Planned Day After Trump’s Inauguration, Says US ‘Border Czar’

Washington: US immigration authorities are set to conduct mass arrests of undocumented immigrants across the country starting Tuesday, according to a top official in President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. The announcement marks one of the first moves by Trump as he returns to the White House, aimed at fulfilling his campaign promise to deport millions of undocumented migrants from the United States.

Tom Homan, Trump’s designated "border czar" and former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), confirmed the large-scale operation during an interview with Fox News on Friday. Homan stated that ICE agents would prioritize individuals deemed public safety threats but emphasized that no undocumented individual is exempt from enforcement. “On Tuesday, ICE is finally going to go out and do their job. We’re going to take the handcuffs off ICE and let them go arrest criminal aliens,” Homan said. “What we’re telling ICE is that you’re going to enforce the immigration law without apology. You’re going to concentrate on the worst first, public safety threats first, but no one is off the table. If they’re in the country illegally, they’ve got a problem.”

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the operation will include an “immigration raid” in Chicago and other cities across the United States. The Chicago raid is expected to involve 100 to 200 ICE officers and last all week. Other cities are reportedly preparing for similar actions, though details remain under wraps. The report cites unnamed individuals familiar with the operation’s planning who described it as a significant step in the Trump administration’s renewed focus on strict immigration enforcement.

Chicago, a city that has long declared itself a “sanctuary” for undocumented migrants, will not cooperate with federal immigration authorities during the raids, according to Don Terry, a spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department. Terry stated that while the department would not “intervene or interfere with any other government agencies performing their duties,” it does not document the immigration status of residents and will not share information with ICE. Sanctuary cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York have repeatedly clashed with federal authorities over immigration enforcement, arguing that such actions erode trust between local law enforcement and immigrant communities.

The upcoming raids signal a sharp return to Trump’s hardline immigration policies, which were central to his 2016 campaign and his first term in office. During his 2024 presidential bid, Trump promised to intensify efforts to deport undocumented migrants, framing it as a move to protect American jobs and enhance public safety. However, critics argue that mass raids and deportations risk tearing families apart and instilling fear within immigrant communities, while immigrant advocacy groups have called the approach inhumane and counterproductive.

Homan, who oversaw the controversial family separation policy during Trump’s first term, defended the operation as a necessary step to uphold the law. “There’s going to be a big raid across the country. Chicago is just one of many places,” he said. He also reaffirmed that the administration’s focus would be on individuals with criminal records but clarified that anyone in the country illegally could face arrest and deportation.

The planned operation has sparked widespread debate over immigration enforcement and local government policies. While some Americans applaud the initiative as a long-overdue measure to restore law and order, others condemn it as a politically motivated move that disproportionately targets vulnerable populations. Advocacy groups are urging undocumented immigrants to familiarize themselves with their legal rights and prepare for potential encounters with ICE officers.

A representative for the Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Agence France-Presse. Meanwhile, preparations for the nationwide operation appear to be underway, with ICE and other federal agencies coordinating efforts to execute the plan. As the raids begin, the impact on communities across the country is likely to reignite fierce debates over immigration policy, federal versus local authority, and the humanitarian consequences of mass deportations.

Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement during his first term faced widespread condemnation from international human rights organizations, particularly over family separations and prolonged detentions. As he embarks on a second term, Tuesday’s raids are expected to set the tone for his administration’s stance on immigration, potentially shaping the national conversation for years to come.