Former acting ICE Director Tom Homan confirmed the commencement of a large-scale deportation operation initiated by the Trump administration. This action fulfills a campaign promise to address the border crisis and strengthen immigration enforcement. Homan, speaking on "America’s Newsroom," stated that ICE teams were deployed and focusing on individuals deemed public safety threats, based on a pre-developed target list.
The operation, described by the administration as "historic," was initially slated to begin with arrests on "day one," according to sources. A planned operation in Chicago was reportedly re-evaluated due to leaked information, raising concerns about officer safety. Homan affirmed that these concerns have been addressed and the operation is underway.
While public safety threats are the primary focus, Homan emphasized that anyone residing in the U.S. illegally is potentially subject to arrest. He highlighted the challenges posed by sanctuary cities, where access to individuals in jail is restricted, forcing ICE agents into neighborhoods, potentially leading to additional arrests of those encountered during these searches.
This operation follows the release of two DHS memos. One memo rescinds a 2021 directive by then-DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas that established an expanded list of "protected areas" where ICE enforcement was prohibited. These areas included schools, healthcare facilities, places of worship, and areas where children gather. The Mayorkas memo aimed to prevent immigration enforcement from hindering access to essential services. The new memo replaces these specific guidelines with an emphasis on common sense in enforcement decisions.
The Trump administration has signaled a strong stance on immigration enforcement with these actions, prioritizing the apprehension and removal of individuals deemed public safety threats.
