The incoming Trump administration is preparing a series of immigration raids in Chicago next week as part of “Operation Safeguard,” according to sources and correspondence reviewed by The New York Times.
Scheduled to begin the day after Donald J. Trump’s inauguration, the operation is expected to last through the following Monday and marks the start of Trump’s pledge to oversee one of the largest deportation efforts in U.S. history.
What to Expect from “Operation Safeguard”
While the exact scale of the operation remains unclear, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ramped up preparations, tying the raids directly to the inauguration in internal communications. The agency plans to deploy approximately 150 agents to Chicago, with hundreds more asked to volunteer nationwide. Chicago is one of several Democratic-led sanctuary cities being targeted as the administration seeks to enforce stricter immigration policies and penalize cities that resist federal cooperation.
Chicago Police Department spokesperson Don Terry stated that the department will not interfere with the operation but reaffirmed its stance of not sharing immigration status information with federal authorities, adhering to municipal code.
“Shock and Awe” Tactics in Focus
Tom Homan, Trump’s pick to lead mass deportation efforts, has signaled aggressive action in the administration’s early days. In a recent interview, Homan emphasized that raids would occur nationwide, with Chicago as one of many focal points. He has previously highlighted sanctuary cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco as areas of priority enforcement.
The administration plans to reassign federal agents and recruit local police officers and National Guard members from Republican-led states to assist with these efforts.
Challenges and Historical Context
Despite Trump’s ambitious promises to deport millions of unauthorized immigrants, logistical and financial challenges remain significant. The administration has stated that initial operations will prioritize individuals with criminal records, but large-scale deportation plans face scrutiny and practical hurdles.
Trump has previously attempted high-profile raids, including a 2019 operation targeting 2,000 undocumented migrants, which resulted in just 35 detentions. While ICE deported 267,000 people in 2019, this number fell short of the Obama administration’s peak of over 400,000 deportations in a single year.
As Trump’s team mobilizes for these operations, the move signals his intent to deliver on campaign promises to crack down on undocumented immigration, sparking controversy and debate over its long-term implications.
