NEWARK, N.J. — Within a week of President Trump’s inauguration, his administration has emphasized its commitment to immigration enforcement by announcing new measures aimed at increasing deportations. The move represents a significant step in fulfilling campaign promises to impose tighter restrictions on illegal immigration. Concerns emerged in various areas, particularly in Newark, New Jersey, where local officials expressed outrage over what they labeled as unauthorized immigration enforcement actions by federal agents.
The administration presented the arrival of U.S. military planes transporting migrants back to Central America as an indication that deportations were underway. On Thursday alone, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported making 538 arrests. U.S. troops were also deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border, and longstanding policies limiting immigration enforcement near educational institutions and places of worship were removed.
While such deportation actions are not entirely unprecedented—with similar operations occurring under the Biden administration, albeit without military involvement—the recent weeks have intensified fears in numerous communities. Social media and news reports of agent activities raised alarm bells, prompting various rights organizations to initiate protection strategies for immigrants, especially around schools and workplaces.
There is notable public consensus regarding the need for enhanced security measures at the southern border and some focused deportations, particularly against individuals with histories of violent crime. A recent survey found that while many Americans support cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials, enthusiasm diminishes when it comes to deporting non-criminal undocumented residents.
In Newark, Mayor Ras Baraka condemned ICE’s actions, claiming agents conducted a warrantless operation at a local business, resulting in the detention of three undocumented individuals and several U.S. citizens. He reported that one citizen was interrogated despite providing military identification.
Newark, located just across the Hudson River from New York City, has a diverse population of approximately 305,000, with significant Black and Hispanic communities. Baraka, a Democrat angling for the party’s gubernatorial nomination, outlined his commitment to defending all residents amid these developments.
ICE confirmed that a “targeted enforcement operation” took place at a Newark business and acknowledged that some individuals encountered were U.S. citizens asked to provide identification. However, they refrained from offering further details due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
While Trump has committed to a strategy of mass deportations, his border enforcement officials insist these operations will be carefully targeted, focusing on individuals with criminal backgrounds. Amy Torres, the executive director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, disputed the notion of a targeted approach, arguing that true enforcement necessitates prior intelligence and planning. She questioned the appropriateness of interrogating a U.S. citizen during such an operation.
Although Torres refrained from disclosing the name of the business involved, the owner of Ocean Seafood Depot expressed a desire for the government to prioritize genuine threats over individuals simply trying to make a living.
In a separate announcement, the administration disclosed that it would broaden the application of “expedited removal” authority, allowing for immediate implementation nationwide. The administration claimed that this change would enhance national security and public safety while reducing operational costs by facilitating faster immigration decisions.
The expedited removal process allows federal agencies to deport individuals without requiring a hearing before an immigration judge. There are specific exemptions, such as when a person expresses fear about returning to their home country and successfully navigates an initial asylum screening. Critics warn that this process risks wrongfully deporting individuals who may rightfully be living in the U.S., as well as failing to provide adequate protections for those facing legitimate threats upon repatriation.
The authority for expedited removal was established under legislation enacted in 1996 but gained extensive use beginning in 2004, when the Department of Homeland Security indicated that it would apply this authority to individuals apprehended within two weeks of entering the U.S. There is a particular focus on undocumented migrants apprehended near the border.
In an additional move, the Trump administration has called upon active-duty military personnel to assist in border security and deportation efforts. Following the deployment of around 1,500 troops to areas such as San Diego and El Paso, two Air Force C-17 cargo planes transporting deportees arrived in Guatemala early Friday morning. Honduras reported receiving two deportation flights on the same day, which involved a total of 193 individuals, reaffirming their existing agreement with the U.S. to accept several flights weekly.
The situation raises further inquiries regarding the future operational expectations between the two governments, particularly about how many more flights Honduras might be asked to accommodate.
