SILVER SPRING, Md. — A week into Donald Trump’s renewed presidency, federal immigration enforcement personnel are embracing a revitalized mission, emphasizing that “no one is getting a free pass anymore.”
Early Monday morning, a group of twelve officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) staged a gathering in a Maryland parking lot before dispersing to search for specific individuals in the Washington suburbs. The targets included a suspect wanted in El Salvador for a homicide, a convicted armed robber, an individual guilty of possessing child pornography, and another with previous drug and gun charges—all residing in the country illegally.
“The worst go first,” stated Matt Elliston, who directs ICE’s Baltimore field office, highlighting the agency’s focus on prioritizing severe cases.
The enforcement style of ICE has indeed evolved under Trump’s administration, which is eager to increase deportations of unauthorized immigrants. Elliston noted that individuals considered a risk to public safety or national security continue to be the top priority, a stance that echoes the previous Biden administration’s policies, but with a significant twist: Trump’s leadership allows ICE officers to arrest individuals lacking legal status simply by encountering them while searching for specific migrants targeted for deportation. This practice, known as “collateral arrests,” had been prohibited under Biden.
“We’re pursuing public safety and national security cases, and the notable change is that nobody is exempt anymore,” Elliston remarked.
On the first day of this sweep, a total of 13 individuals were detained across Maryland, with nine identified as targets of the operation, while the remaining four were apprehended coincidentally during the process.
Among those captured in collateral arrests included one person with a conviction for aggravated theft, one who had already been deported once, and two others with final orders for removal.
The Trump administration also showcased the involvement of various agencies in immigration enforcement operations, such as the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Over the weekend, Emile Bove, acting deputy attorney general, observed arrest efforts in Chicago, underscoring the increasing participation of the Justice Department.
As for ICE’s daily arrests, there was a notable increase following Trump’s reentry into office. Daily averages had hovered around 311 until that point, but surged dramatically, with figures reaching 956 on Sunday and escalating further to 1,179 on Monday. Should this trend continue, it would represent some of the highest daily averages recorded by ICE.
Additionally, Trump’s administration has lifted restrictions that previously limited ICE operations at sensitive locations, such as schools, churches, and hospitals. This change has sparked concerns among migrants and advocacy groups who worry about the potential for children to witness their parents being apprehended during school drop-off or parents avoiding necessary medical attention due to fears of arrest.
Elliston addressed these concerns by stating that it remains rare for ICE to conduct operations in such locations. Reflecting on his 17 years of experience, he mentioned entering a school only once, and that was to help thwart an active shooter incident.
However, the removal of such operational guidelines does have subtler impacts on how ICE operates. For instance, on Monday, while the team sought a Venezuelan gang member believed to be working as a delivery driver, they parked near a church and an elementary school—areas that would have previously been off-limits for surveillance under prior guidelines.
Elliston reaffirmed that the agency is focused on targeted operations rather than performing indiscriminate sweeps in search of undocumented individuals. “I dislike the term ‘raids’ as it gives the wrong impression; we’re not just going door-to-door demanding identification,” he clarified. “That’s far from our reality.”
In the days since Trump resumed office, Elliston has dedicated time to dispelling rumors regarding ICE’s activities and the individuals being arrested. As he has taken on this role since 2022, he has made efforts to build relationships with local officials and law enforcement agencies in Maryland, a state noted for its sanctuary policies that restrict cooperation with federal immigration efforts.
Elliston has proactively reached out to city officials to inform them about the missions of ICE and the profiles of individuals they seek. This outreach aims to foster collaborations that would enable officials to alert ICE when detained individuals are about to be released, allowing ICE to take appropriate action.
Nevertheless, there are instances when the search for targets proves unsuccessful. At one apartment complex in Takoma Park, for example, three ICE officers knocked on doors, inviting residents to speak with them. “Miss, could you open the door? We’d like to talk,” one officer requested as they attempted to ascertain the whereabouts of their target.
Eventually, a resident returned home, revealing that the individual in question likely provided an incorrect address during an earlier arrest, leading the officers to the wrong apartment. Elliston asserted their commitment to continue searching for such individuals.
“Our pursuit of these targets won’t cease,” he stated.
