The incoming Trump administration is planning to increase operations aimed at arresting unauthorized immigrants across major U.S. cities next week, following President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
These operations will specifically target “sanctuary” jurisdictions that limit their cooperation with federal immigration officials, according to two sources familiar with the plans, as reported by CBS News.
Among the locations expected to be targeted by deportation teams from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the Chicago area, which has a large immigrant population, one source indicated.
Recently, ICE officials in Chicago issued a request for agents to participate in the post-inauguration arrest operations, although top agency leaders in Washington were reportedly unaware of this decision, according to a U.S. official familiar with the developments.
When asked on Fox News about a potential ICE operation in Chicago next week—a plan that was first reported by The Wall Street Journal—Tom Homan, the incoming White House “border czar,” responded, “There’s gonna be a big raid all across the country.”
Tom Homan, recently appointed as Trump’s “border czar,” made a visit to Texas on Tuesday to promote the new administration’s ambitious plans aimed at mass deportations.
With a sense of urgency, Homan stated, “We’re not waiting until January. We’re going to put a plan in place and secure this nation.”
As the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump’s first term, Homan has vowed to “take the handcuffs off ICE,” signaling a push for more aggressive enforcement of immigration laws.
Central to these efforts is the 287(g) program, which was incorporated into the Immigration and Nationality Act in 1996 during Bill Clinton’s presidency.
This program enables ICE to delegate to state and local law enforcement agencies certain powers typically reserved for immigration officers.
Specifically, once an individual is arrested for a different criminal offense, a trained corrections officer can access ICE’s extensive database to verify that person’s immigration status.
If necessary, they may detain the individual for up to 48 hours while waiting for ICE to decide whether to assume custody for deportation proceedings.
Proponents of the 287(g) program argue that it maintains a focus on individuals who have already been arrested for other crimes, rather than allowing local officers to indiscriminately round up undocumented immigrants.
They contend that all enforcement actions occur within the confines of jails or detention centers. As of May 2024, ICE reported that law enforcement agencies across 21 states have engaged in the 287(g) program.
Among its advocates is Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler of Harford County, Maryland. He strongly supports the collaborative effort between local law enforcement and ICE, expressing his belief that such partnerships are essential for effectively enforcing immigration laws.
Gahler has also defended the program against criticisms asserting that it could lead to the unjust targeting of undocumented immigrants, emphasizing that it is designed to focus on those already involved in the criminal justice system.
