• The Trump administration is preparing a nationwide operation targeting illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities like Chicago and New York, starting as early as January 21. The raids, described as a “big f–king operation,” will involve hundreds of ICE agents and mark a significant shift from the Biden administration’s more restrained approach.
• Led by border czar Tom Homan, the operation prioritizes the arrest and deportation of illegal immigrants who pose public safety risks. However, Homan has emphasized that no one in the country illegally is exempt, signaling a return to aggressive enforcement.
• Sanctuary cities, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, are central to the operation. These cities, including Chicago and New York, have been criticized for creating safe havens for illegal immigrants, with critics arguing that such policies undermine federal law and endanger public safety.
• The raids face significant logistical hurdles, including detention capacity and the complexities of detaining individuals with deep community ties. Politically, sanctuary cities have vowed to resist, and legal battles over federal jurisdiction and funding are expected.
• The raids are part of a wider Trump administration plan to reverse Biden-era immigration policies, including scrapping the CBP One app. While supporters see the operation as restoring law and order, critics view it as a polarizing escalation in the immigration debate.

In a bold move signaling a dramatic shift in immigration enforcement, President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing to launch a sweeping operation targeting illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities across the nation. Dubbed by insiders as a “big f–king operation,” the multi-day raids are set to begin as early as January 21. Cities like Chicago and New York, long criticized for their refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, will be the primary focus of this aggressive crackdown.

The operation, spearheaded by Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, aims to prioritize the arrest and deportation of illegal immigrants who pose a threat to public safety. Homan, a seasoned immigration enforcement official, has vowed to “take the handcuffs off ICE” and allow agents to enforce immigration. While the administration has emphasized targeting criminals first, Homan has made it clear that no one in the country illegally is off the table. (Related: Sanctuary cities on notice: Trump ally’s legal group targets officials for violating immigration laws.)

Sanctuary cities, which have adopted policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities, have long been a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration. These cities, including Chicago and New York, have refused to detain or share information about illegal immigrants with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), effectively creating safe havens for those who have entered the country unlawfully. Critics argue that these policies undermine federal law and endanger public safety by shielding individuals who may have criminal records.

The upcoming raids are expected to involve hundreds of ICE agents, with as many as 200 officers deployed to Chicago alone. The operation will mark a stark departure from the Biden administration’s approach, which significantly scaled back large-scale immigration enforcement actions. Under Biden, ICE focused primarily on individuals with serious criminal histories, leaving many low-level offenders untouched. The Trump administration, however, has signaled a return to a more robust enforcement strategy, with Homan promising to “concentrate on the worst first” but warning that “no one’s off the table.”

To prepare for the operation, some ICE offices have reportedly paused routine arrests to free up space in detention centers for the anticipated influx of detainees. This logistical maneuver underscores the scale of the planned raids, which could be the largest in recent memory. While the exact number of individuals targeted remains unclear, the operation is expected to send a strong message to sanctuary cities and illegal immigrants alike: the Trump administration means business.

Trump administration determined to make good on its campaign promises

The decision to focus on Chicago is particularly notable. The city has been a frequent target of conservative criticism for its progressive immigration policies and its ongoing feud with the Trump administration. In December, Homan singled out Chicago during a speech to local Republicans, accusing Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker of failing to protect their citizens by refusing to cooperate with federal authorities.

The raids are just one piece of a broader immigration agenda that the Trump administration plans to roll out. In addition to the enforcement actions, the administration intends to scrap the Biden-era CBP One app, a program that allowed nearly a million migrants to schedule their border crossings. This move, along with the planned raids, underscores the administration’s commitment to reversing what it sees as the failures of the Biden administration’s immigration policies.

While the Trump administration’s plans have been met with enthusiasm by immigration hawks, they are likely to face significant challenges. Sanctuary cities have already vowed to resist federal efforts, with Chicago officials reiterating that local police will not assist ICE in enforcing immigration laws. Legal battles over federal funding and jurisdiction are almost certain to follow, as are protests from immigrant advocacy groups and civil rights organizations.

Moreover, the logistical and financial hurdles of carrying out mass deportations on the scale envisioned by the Trump administration cannot be overstated. Past efforts to conduct large-scale raids have yielded mixed results, with some operations netting far fewer arrests than anticipated. The administration will also need to navigate the complexities of detaining and deporting individuals, many of whom have deep ties to their communities and families, including U.S.-born children.

Despite these challenges, the Trump administration appears determined to make good on its campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration.

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Watch as Tom Homan explains how illegal immigrants are gaming the system.

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Tom Homan calls for weekly White House deportation briefings to update the public.

Sources are: 

NYPost.com

NYTimes.com

Newsbreak.com

Brighteon.com