Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to launch extensive immigration enforcement operations in sanctuary cities across the country immediately following President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
The initiative, described by sources as a “big f**king operation,” will target cities like Chicago and New York, where local authorities have limited cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
#UPDATE: According to the New York Post and other outlets, ICE is planning large-scale immigration raids in sanctuary cities, including Chicago and New York. One source described it as a “big f*cking operation,” The raids are scheduled to begin Tuesday morning and will continue…
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 18, 2025
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Starting January 21, ICE will conduct multi-day operations aimed at apprehending individuals with outstanding removal orders.
The effort aligns with the Trump administration’s pledge to prioritize the removal of illegal immigrants who pose threats to public safety.
Tom Homan, Trump’s incoming border czar, has stated that the enforcement actions will begin on the first day of the new administration.
“It’s going to be a big raid all across the country,” Homan said during an interview with Fox News.
“We’re going to take the handcuffs off ICE and let them go arrest criminal aliens.”
Homan emphasized that the focus will initially be on individuals deemed the most dangerous.
However, he warned, “No one’s off the table. If they’re in the country illegally, they got a problem.”
Preparations for the operation include reallocating resources and halting arrests in some ICE offices to make room in detention facilities.
A source within ICE explained, “We aren’t arresting anyone and bringing them into custody, making room for what may happen next week.”
The operation in Chicago alone will involve up to 200 ICE officers, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. Homan has also signaled that similar actions will take place in multiple cities across ICE’s 24 field offices nationwide.
Homan has been outspoken about targeting sanctuary cities, which he claims shield illegal immigrants from federal authorities.
He recently met with New York City Mayor Eric Adams to discuss deportation efforts and address concerns about more than 320,000 migrant children who remain unaccounted for, sources told The Post.
Homan described Adams’ position on immigration as a “complete 180” from his previously progressive stance, suggesting a shift in the mayor’s approach to the crisis.
During an event in December, Homan specifically mentioned Chicago as a priority target.
“Chicago’s in trouble because your mayor sucks and your governor sucks,” Homan said, criticizing local leadership for policies that he believes hinder federal immigration enforcement.
Tom Homan speaks in Chicago regarding mass deportations
“Your mayor [@ChicagosMayor] sucks and your governor [@GovPritzker] sucks.”
— jerry maga (@_jerrymaga) December 10, 2024
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office did not respond to requests for comment on the upcoming operations.
In addition to the ICE sweeps, the incoming administration plans to implement rapid changes at the U.S.-Mexico border.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), testified during her Senate confirmation hearing on Friday that one of the first actions under the new administration will be to eliminate the Biden-era CBP One mobile app.
BOOM: Trump’s DHS Secretary Nominee Kristi Noem says she will SHUT DOWN the CBP 1 app and secret flights for illegals:
“It will be shut down. There’s data we will preserve so that we can go find these people. These programs need to be ELIMINATED” pic.twitter.com/94sMOPi6T4
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 17, 2025
The app has allowed over 936,500 migrants to schedule border crossings, according to federal data.
Noem stated that dismantling the program is part of broader efforts to secure the border and enforce immigration laws.
John Fabbricatore, former director of ICE’s Denver office, noted that such large-scale operations were curtailed during the Biden administration.
He described the upcoming plans as a morale boost for ICE agents. “The men and women of ICE are looking forward to being able to do their job,” Fabbricatore said.
While ICE has not commented on the specifics of the operations, the Trump transition team has signaled that aggressive immigration enforcement will be a cornerstone of the administration’s policies.
Homan has reiterated that ICE will enforce immigration laws “without apology,” with an emphasis on removing individuals with criminal backgrounds while maintaining that no illegal immigrant is exempt from enforcement actions.
I love Tom Homan. Having worked for 3 administrations he knows the causes and effects of a secured border vs an unsecured border. He loves America and is absolutely disgusted by Joe and Kamala’s open border and what they have allowed to happed. Millions of unvetted illegals.… pic.twitter.com/7sDIApwDcY
— ❤️ ❤️ (@DameScorpio) November 2, 2024
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