Donald Trump’s incoming presidential administration plans to ramp up immigration enforcement across the United States shortly after his inauguration on Monday, according to a source familiar with the plans.
“We will conduct operations nationwide,” the source informed Reuters on Friday. “Arrests will occur in cities like New York and Miami.”
This comment was in response to a Wall Street Journal report alleging that the administration intends to launch a significant immigration operation in Chicago on Tuesday.
According to the Wall Street Journal, which cited four individuals with knowledge of the plan, the Chicago operation is expected to continue throughout the week. The report states that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will deploy between 100 and 200 officers for this initiative.
However, the source speaking to Reuters refuted claims that personnel were being specifically assigned to Chicago for this effort.
Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Immigration was a central theme in Trump’s campaign leading up to the November 5, 2024, presidential election.
“Moments after my inauguration, we will initiate the largest domestic deportation operation in U.S. history,” Trump declared in January 2024.
The new administration is expected to mobilize federal agencies to facilitate a record number of deportations, Reuters reported. Building on strategies from his previous term, Trump plans to utilize all available resources and exert pressure on so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions to comply with federal immigration laws.
