President Donald Trump’s mass deportation initiative is in full swing, with large-scale raids targeting sanctuary cities, including New York.
Over the weekend, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more than 2,300 individuals, sparking fear in immigrant communities nationwide.
Record-Breaking Arrest Numbers
ICE announced 1,179 arrests in a single day, with 853 detainers lodged, signaling probable cause for deportation under federal law. Last week alone, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported the removal of 7,300 undocumented individuals. These numbers far exceed ICE’s daily arrest average of 311 from the previous fiscal year.
The Trump administration is expediting deportations with expanded “expedited removal” powers. These allow agencies to deport individuals without a court hearing, except in cases where asylum claims are presented and preliminarily approved.
High-Profile Arrests in NYC
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem visited New York City, highlighting arrests of undocumented individuals with criminal records. Among them:
- Franklin Osorto-Cruz: A Honduran national convicted of driving while intoxicated.
- Kamaro Denver Haye: A Jamaican national charged with promoting sexual performances by minors.
- Jose Roberto Rodriguez-Urbina: A 22-year-old Salvadoran and alleged MS-13 gang member.
Nationwide Raids Target Criminal Offenders
California
Colombian national Andres Orjuela Parra, convicted of sexual assault, was arrested in San Francisco.
Colorado
Mexican nationals Pablo Beningo Calva-Deamonte and Arturo Alejandro Silvestre-Mendiola, with DUI and drug-related charges, were arrested in Denver.
Florida
In Coral Gables, authorities detained nearly 40 Chinese migrants found in vans. Additional arrests included individuals with assault, firearm, and drug charges.
Massachusetts
ICE agents in Boston apprehended gang members, including a Haitian national with 17 criminal convictions and a fugitive MS-13 member wanted for murder in El Salvador.
Texas and Tennessee
Three Venezuelan gang members from the Tren de Aragua organization were captured, including Nestor Jose Mendoza-Garcia and Elmer Aparicio-Castillo.
What the Numbers Say
The U.S. has a record-breaking foreign-born population of 47.3 million, accounting for 14.3% of the population, according to Pew Research Center. While most immigrants (77%) are here legally, 23% are unauthorized.
What’s Next?
The administration vows to continue these operations, with White House border czar Tom Homan emphasizing the importance of following U.S. immigration laws. “We have millions waiting to enter legally. It’s not fair to those who follow the rules.”
The exact number of individuals targeted before Trump’s term remains unclear, as ICE has not disclosed all details of the ongoing crackdown.
