Raids to detain and deport illegal migrants in the US are expected to begin on the first day of Trump’s presidency.
Operations could reportedly begin as early as Tuesday.
This comes as Trump vowed to oversee the largest deportation programme in US history.
Speaking to Fox News, Tom Homan, Trump’s incoming “border tsar” promised big raids across America. He has previously said Chicago will be “ground zero” for mass deportations.
Tom Homan, Trump’s incoming “border tsar” promised big raids across America
REUTERS
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency deports illegal immigrants regularly, however this operation is different.
It is expected to target “sanctuary” cities such as Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, that limit their co-operation with federal immigration officials.
Speaking at a Republican gathering in Chicago in December, Homan said: “January 21st, you’re going to look for a lot of ICE agents in your city looking for criminals and gang members. Count on it. It will happen.”
New York, Los Angeles, Denver and Miami are set to also be targeted by the raids, sources have said.
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Under Joe Biden’s presidency, ICE mainly prioritised the arrest of illegal immigrants who were dangerous criminals, who posed a national security threat or who had crossed the border recently.
However, Trump’s team has said that although they will also begin with migrants who had committed crimes, all illegal migrants, including ones who have lived and worked in the US for years, will be targeted.
Immigration raids at construction sites where undocumented people often work are also due to resume, after being stopped by Biden’s administration.
Ahead of the toughening of US policy, migrant farm workers have been looking for advice on dealing with immigration officials and finding guardians for their children.
Ahead of the toughening of US policy, migrant farm workers have been looking for advice on dealing with immigration officials
Reuters
“The administration is not yet sworn in, but people are already afraid,” said Sarait Martinez, executive director of the Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño, which supports Mexican farm workers in California.
Trump may also do away with a longstanding policy that has made churches off-limits for ICE raids.
Meanwhile, the Laken Riley Act – named after a student in Georgia who was murdered by a Venezuelan national – is set to be passed by US lawmakers next week.
This legislation will require the federal government to arrest migrants living in the US illegally who are suspected of criminal activity, regardless of if they have not been charged with a crime.
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