Federal immigration agents carried out the first major arrest operation under the Trump administration, resulting in nearly 500 arrests. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), more than 460 individuals were apprehended between Tuesday and Wednesday as part of a nationwide effort spanning Illinois, Utah, California, Minnesota, New York, Florida, and Maryland.
Those arrested had criminal records, including charges for sexual assault, robbery, drug and weapons offenses, and domestic violence, ICE reported. Additionally, the agency issued 420 detainer requests, asking jails to notify ICE when undocumented individuals are released from custody.
“This operation is focused on public safety threats—individuals in the country illegally who have been convicted or arrested for serious crimes,” said Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar. Homan added that sanctuary city policies force ICE agents to locate offenders in neighborhoods instead of jails.
In Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker stated that approximately 2,000 migrants in the Chicago area could face deportation. However, he criticized the lack of communication from federal authorities, saying, “We don’t know when these enforcement actions will take place.” Pritzker, who has vowed to oppose Trump’s immigration policies, emphasized the state’s commitment to standing up for immigrants while acknowledging that violent criminals who are undocumented should be deported.
Meanwhile, the Justice Department has instructed federal prosecutors to investigate state and local officials who obstruct the enforcement of immigration laws.
