In a breaking announcement, sources revealed that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing large-scale immigration raids in sanctuary cities. Chicago and New York are among the main targets. These operations are expected to begin Tuesday morning and continue throughout the week.
Social media platform X was abuzz with the news, with a post describing the raids as a “big f*cking operation.” Major outlets, including the New York Post and Wall Street Journal, confirmed the plans.
Massive Enforcement Effort
The raids will reportedly involve around 200 ICE officers, according to officials cited by the Wall Street Journal. The scope of the operation will extend beyond Chicago, with similar actions expected in New York, Miami, and other cities.
A Trump administration official told Reuters, “We’re going to be doing operations all across the country. You’re going to see arrests in New York. You’re going to see arrests in Miami.”
The raids come just as Donald Trump prepares to take office on Monday as the 47th president. Immigration reform was a cornerstone of his campaign, with promises to enforce stricter border controls and deportations.
Chicago at the Center of Raids
Chicago has been chosen as the focal point of these efforts. The city’s large immigrant population is a significant factor. Around 20% of its 2.6 million residents are foreign-born.
Last year, over 50,000 migrants were bused to Chicago from Texas, a Republican state protesting President Biden’s border policies. This influx has further intensified tensions between the federal government and sanctuary cities.
Tom Homan, Trump’s incoming border czar, recently declared in Chicago, “Our anti-immigration efforts are going to start right here in Chicago, Illinois.” He warned that the city’s mayor could face prosecution for obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
Political Implications
The announcement has sparked sharp reactions from political leaders and activists. Sanctuary cities, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, have long been a point of contention.
Critics accuse the administration of using fear tactics to target immigrant communities. Advocacy groups are mobilizing to provide legal aid and protection for vulnerable residents.
Supporters, however, view the raids as a necessary step to enforce immigration laws and secure borders. “This is what the country needs—a government that takes the rule of law seriously,” one Trump supporter said.
Broader Context
This operation aligns with Trump’s promise to initiate the “largest domestic deportation operation in American history” shortly after his inauguration. The president-elect has emphasized the need to rally all federal agencies to achieve this goal.
The raids signal a sharp departure from the policies of outgoing President Joe Biden, whose administration faced criticism for its handling of immigration.
What’s Next?
As ICE prepares to execute these operations, tensions are rising in sanctuary cities across the nation. The coming days will test the resilience of immigrant communities and the commitment of local governments to protect them.
For now, all eyes remain on Chicago, where the first wave of enforcement is expected to unfold.