Raids are increasing in every major city.
On Sunday, immigration enforcement operations took place in multiple U.S. cities, marking the beginning of what President Donald Trump has described as mass deportations. These operations primarily focus on apprehending migrants with criminal records, though concerns persist that individuals without criminal histories may also be detained. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, confirmed that several people convicted of serious crimes were arrested, along with some individuals who were present during the raids but had no criminal records.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported making 956 arrests on Sunday, the highest single-day total under the Trump administration, with over 2,600 arrests made since Trump’s inauguration. While many of those detained had criminal backgrounds, specific details about the criminal histories of all those arrested were unclear. ICE emphasized that these efforts are intended to enforce immigration laws and protect public safety by removing dangerous individuals from communities.
In Chicago, several of those arrested had been convicted of violent crimes, including sex offenses and murder. Homan also addressed the possibility of conducting raids in locations such as churches and schools, which were previously considered “sensitive locations” under previous guidance. He stated that such decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis to prioritize public safety.
Reports have indicated that Trump administration officials have set ambitious targets for daily arrests, with a goal of apprehending between 1,200 and 1,500 individuals each day. While some officials support the deportation of violent offenders, others, like Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, have expressed concern about targeting law-abiding immigrants. Pritzker called for a pathway to citizenship for those contributing positively to society.
In addition to ICE’s efforts, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) participated in raids, including a large operation in Colorado that resulted in the detention of nearly 50 individuals without legal status, many of whom were linked to a Venezuelan gang. Similar operations took place in other cities across the country, with federal and local law enforcement agencies working together to enforce immigration laws.
