The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Trump administration is planning to make an immediate and forceful statement on immigration as the president begins his second term in office. According to the report, which cites four people familiar with the plans, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to launch a massive, week-long immigration raid in the city of Chicago, starting on Tuesday – just one day after Trump’s inauguration.
The operation, which is expected to involve between 100 and 200 ICE officers descending upon the city, appears designed to send a clear message that the administration intends to take an aggressive approach to illegal immigration from the outset of Trump’s new term. Chicago, a staunchly Democratic city with so-called “sanctuary” policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, has long been in the crosshairs of Trump and his allies.
Sanctuary City Showdown
Tom Homan, Trump’s incoming border czar, pulled no punches when discussing the Chicago operation at a recent event, according to the Wall Street Journal report. “We’re going to start right here in Chicago, Illinois,” Homan stated bluntly. “And if the Chicago mayor doesn’t want to help, he can step aside. But if he impedes us, if he knowingly harbors or conceals an illegal alien, I will prosecute him.”
Those fiery words set the stage for what could be a major confrontation between the Trump administration and cities like Chicago that have resisted turning over undocumented immigrants to ICE agents for deportation. Trump and his top officials have long railed against sanctuary policies, arguing that they undermine immigration enforcement and threaten public safety.
Within moments of my inauguration, we will begin the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.
– President Trump, January 2024
Raids to Go Nationwide
While the Chicago raids appear to be an initial shot across the bow, a source familiar with the administration’s plans indicated to Reuters that the immigration crackdown will not be limited to the Windy City. “We’re going to be doing operations all across the country,” the unnamed official said. “You’re going to see arrests in New York. You’re going to see arrests in Miami.”
Executing large-scale immigration raids in major cities would be consistent with Trump’s promise to dramatically ramp up deportations in his second term. Speaking in January 2024 as he laid out his vision for the next four years, Trump declared, “Within moments of my inauguration, we will begin the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.”
Mobilizing All Resources
To hit those record-breaking deportation numbers, the administration is expected to enlist agencies across the federal government to assist ICE, which will remain the tip of the spear. According to Reuters reporting, Trump plans to tap “all available resources” for the effort, putting the full weight of the executive branch behind his signature immigration agenda.
- ICE to lead enforcement operations and deportations
- CBP to secure border and ports of entry
- DOJ to prosecute immigrant crimes and sanctuary jurisdictions
Beyond expanding deportations, the Trump administration is likely to increase pressure on sanctuary cities and states to fall in line with its hardline immigration policies – with the Chicago raid marking an opening salvo in that pressure campaign. All indications are that America should brace for a no-holds-barred, nationwide immigration enforcement blitz as Trump launches his second act.
