The Trump administration is set to launch an extensive immigration enforcement operation across major U.S. cities next week, targeting sanctuary cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This was disclosed by Tom Homan, the incoming border czar, who emphasized the administration’s intention to fulfill President Donald Trump’s campaign promise of cracking down on illegal immigration.
According to Homan, the operation will begin on Tuesday, deploying approximately 100 to 200 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to apprehend undocumented immigrants in cities such as Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Denver. The large-scale raid, expected to last throughout the week, will focus primarily on individuals with criminal backgrounds. However, Homan clarified that no exceptions would be made, as anyone found residing in the U.S. illegally could face arrest and deportation.
“This is about enforcing our immigration laws to protect the nation’s borders,” Homan stated during a press briefing. “It is not just about those with criminal records. Every undocumented immigrant is subject to removal under federal law.”
The move has drawn sharp criticism from local officials and immigrant rights organizations, who warn of the potential economic and social impacts on communities with significant immigrant populations. Critics have also expressed concerns over the targeting of sanctuary cities, which they argue are designed to protect vulnerable individuals from federal immigration crackdowns.
In a bid to pressure sanctuary cities to comply with federal immigration policies, the Trump administration is reportedly considering measures to withhold federal grants from these jurisdictions. Cities like Chicago, which has publicly declared its status as a sanctuary city, are bracing for the raids.
Meanwhile, immigrant advocacy groups have vowed to resist the operation, urging affected communities to remain vigilant and to know their rights. “This is a direct attack on immigrant families,” said a spokesperson for the American Immigration Council. “We will not stand by as families are torn apart.”
The enforcement initiative marks one of the Trump administration’s most significant actions on immigration policy since taking office. President Trump had campaigned on a platform of tough immigration enforcement, promising to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and to secure U.S. borders.
As the nation anticipates the impact of the upcoming raids, the debate over immigration policy continues to polarize the country. While supporters argue that such measures are necessary for national security, opponents view them as inhumane and discriminatory.
The Merit Newspaper’s international correspondents will continue to monitor the developments surrounding this operation.
