Federal immigration authorities plan to focus on over 300 individuals with severe criminal backgrounds following the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, signifying the administration’s first move towards executing his intention of widespread deportations.
According to an official who requested anonymity, the operations will primarily take place in the Chicago region, with arrests anticipated throughout the week.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) typically apprehends only a small percentage of their intended targets during such initiatives; however, Trump’s administration is likely to broaden the scope compared to President Joe Biden, whose focus mostly revolved around detaining individuals at the border who posed serious criminal or national security concerns. Trump’s team has indicated that they may also detain individuals like spouses or roommates who are illegally residing in the country, even if they are not the primary targets.
Neither ICE nor the Trump transition team provided immediate comments over the weekend regarding this plan. Nevertheless, reports from The Wall Street Journal previously indicated that operations are expected to commence on Tuesday.
Tom Homan, Trump’s designated border czar, conveyed on Fox News that Chicago will be among various locations nationwide where federal agents will conduct these arrests.
“We’re going to remove limitations on ICE and allow them to arrest criminal aliens—that’s the approach we are taking,” Homan asserted. “We are instructing ICE to enforce immigration laws unapologetically, focusing first on the most dangerous individuals, but making it clear that anyone in the country illegally could face consequences.”
In an interview with NBC News, Trump emphasized that mass deportations would be an immediate priority, though he refrained from specifying the exact timeline or locations for their initiation, stating they would happen soon. “It will start very soon, very quickly,” he added, without divulging precise details about the cities involved.
“We must remove criminals from this country, and I believe you would agree with that. It’s difficult to understand how anyone could disagree,” he stated.
The impending operations might be affected by severe weather conditions, as meteorologists predict an icy spell in the Chicago area beginning Sunday and expected to last throughout the week.
Individuals and organizations advocating for immigrant rights have been preparing since Trump emphasized mass deportations as a key aspect of his campaign. Trump has often criticized Chicago, known for having robust protections for undocumented individuals.
This major U.S. city has functioned as a sanctuary city since the 1980s, restricting local police cooperation with federal immigration officials and reinforcing those protocols multiple times since Trump assumed office eight years ago.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and first-term Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, affirmed their commitment to those protections. In November, Johnson characterized Trump’s plans for deportations as “small and soft.”
During a recent visit to the Chicago area, Homan took to task prominent Democratic leaders of the state, hinting that enforcement efforts would initially target Chicago.
“There’s been a palpable fear since Election Day,” remarked Brandon Lee, a spokesperson for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, adding that they had anticipated Trump would hone in on Chicago and Illinois early in his term.
Advocates have made efforts to inform the immigrant community about their rights, establishing communication networks to alert them regarding ICE arrests and advising that these operations often take place early in the morning. Officers frequently conduct such raids without a warrant needed to forcibly enter residences.
“We aim to equip ourselves as best as we can,” said Lee. “While it’s impossible to have all the specifics of ICE operations, community members understanding their rights acts as a source of empowerment.”
During a news conference, Democratic U.S. Representatives Jesus Garcia and Delia Ramirez encouraged immigrants in Chicago to stay composed and assert their rights—especially the right to remain silent and to deny entry to officers seeking to enter homes without proper warrants.
“We face another test,” noted Garcia. “But we have the experience to defend our community.”
