On the cusp of Donald Trump’s new administration, significant plans regarding immigration enforcement are being set into motion. Sources have revealed that raids aimed at detaining and deporting individuals residing in the United States without legal permission are slated to commence on the very first full day of Trump’s term. This operation is reportedly spearheaded by Tom Homan, the incoming “border tsar,” who has communicated high expectations for a large-scale crackdown on illegal migrants.
According to reports, these raids could begin as early as Tuesday in Chicago, a city notable for its substantial migrant population. Trump’s administration has made it clear that it intends to facilitate the largest deportation initiative in the history of the United States, and Homan has underscored that the primary targets of these raids would be individuals identified as criminals and gang members. In a recent interview with Fox News, Homan emphasized a “big raid” would soon sweep across the country, specifying that Chicago would be “ground zero” for these extensive deportations.
Historically, Trump, representing the Republican Party, has fervently proclaimed intentions for mass deportations, a promise he made even before his inauguration in 2017. Throughout his previous term, however, the reality betrayed his promises, as he ultimately deported approximately half the number of migrants compared to his predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama, during his initial years in office. This brings into focus the ongoing activities of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, which already oversees the deportation of illegal immigrants on a daily basis.
Looking forward, the planned operations post-inauguration are expected to particularly focus on so-called “sanctuary cities.” These are municipalities that limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities, making them key targets for the new administration’s policy shift. Sources familiar with the plans have indicated that officials from ICE in the Chicago area have mobilized agents for the upcoming raids without formally notifying their superiors in Washington, D.C.
As Homan articulated at a Republican gathering in Chicago last month, residents should anticipate a significant ICE presence in their neighborhoods soon after the inauguration. He mentioned, “January 21st, you’re going to see a lot of ICE agents in your city looking for criminals and gang members. Count on it. It will happen.” Other cities, such as New York, Los Angeles, Denver, and Miami, are also anticipated to witness similar enforcement actions, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.
Amid these developments, concerns arise from various community members and religious leaders. A congregation at a predominantly Latino church in Chicago expressed anxiety regarding the potential effects of these raids. Individuals like D Camacho, a 21-year-old migrant from Mexico, voiced fears, saying, “I’m scared, but I can’t imagine what people without papers are feeling.” Reverend Emma Lozano highlighted the impact these deportations could have on families, questioning, “If someone with five children gets taken, who will take the children in?”
In contrast, the Biden administration had set a more measured approach, directing ICE to focus on apprehending illegal migrants deemed serious criminals or those who pose a national security risk. However, Trump’s new directives could widen the net, potentially leading to arrests of all undocumented persons, including those who have contributed to American society for years without any criminal record.
Alongside these impending raids, ICE is also likely to renew operations at construction sites where undocumented migrants typically work—a practice that had been halted during Biden’s term. This pivot comes with its own challenges, as officials face constraints in available space to detain individuals. Furthermore, the anticipated passage of the Laken Riley Act, named after a college student murdered by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record, is expected to mandate the detention of undocumented migrants suspected of criminal activity.
In summary, as Trump’s administration prepares to wield significant power over immigration enforcement, many unsettling questions loom regarding the future of undocumented migrants and the wider implications for communities across major U.S. cities.
