The Donald Trump administration has escalated its crackdown on illegal immigration, with the US Justice Department initiating arrests in Chicago as part of a broader multi-agency enforcement operation, according to a New York Times report.
Vice President JD Vance has expressed support for the raids, suggesting that immigration enforcement should extend to schools and religious buildings. He emphasized the importance of apprehending individuals convicted of violent crimes, regardless of their immigration status. “If you have a person who is convicted of a violent crime, whether they are an illegal immigrant or not, you have to go and get that person to protect the public safety,” Vance said. He added that immigration raids at sensitive locations should not be ruled out, expressing hope that they would deter illegal immigration.
Meanwhile, Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan warned that immigration officials would need at least 100,000 beds to support the administration’s expansive deportation plans, calling on Congress to approve the necessary funding. Homan, when asked about immigration enforcement in places like churches and schools, stated that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) would assess such actions on a “case-by-case basis.” However, he hinted that high-school-aged children might be legitimate targets for deportation, particularly if they are linked to gangs.
Homan confirmed that deportations would “steadily increase” as the administration seeks to broaden its focus to target any individuals in the country illegally, not just those with criminal records. He also emphasized that the Trump administration would rely on Congress for the funding necessary to implement its mass deportation efforts. “The Congress, I think the president has a mandate. This is the number one issue that people voted on,” Homan remarked, urging lawmakers to provide the resources needed to carry out the plan.
Additionally, Homan pointed to the death of Georgia student Laken Riley, allegedly killed by a migrant, as a symbol of the Republicans’ immigration stance. He described the tragic incident as further justification for their strict policies on immigration enforcement.
In another development, US officials shut down an app that allowed asylum seekers to schedule appointments for admission at a port of entry, a system introduced by the Biden administration. Homan dismissed the app as an “illegitimate method” for migrants to seek asylum. “Go to the embassy, go to the port of entry, do it the legal way,” he stated, further reinforcing his position that illegal entry into the US should not be tolerated.