Raids target schools, religious buildings; officials call for expanded deportation funding to enforce stricter immigration policies.
Washington DC [US], January 27: The Trump administration has ramped up its crackdown on illegal immigration with multi-agency enforcement operations in Chicago and calls for broader deportation measures. The US Justice Department confirmed arrests in Chicago as part of the latest initiative, according to the New York Times.
US Vice President JD Vance supported the expanded raids, including operations in schools and religious buildings, stating such actions could deter illegal immigrants. “If you have a person convicted of a violent crime, whether they are an illegal immigrant or not, you have to get that person to protect public safety,” Vance said.
Sweeping Deportation Plans
Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s Border Czar, indicated that deportation efforts would require substantial resources, including at least 100,000 additional detention beds. He urged Congress to allocate funding promptly.
“Congress has a mandate to give us money,” Homan stated, emphasizing the urgency of enforcing the administration’s immigration agenda.
When asked about conducting raids in schools or churches, Homan said actions would be evaluated “on a case-by-case basis.” He suggested that high-school-aged individuals with gang affiliations could be legitimate enforcement targets.
Expanded Enforcement Scope
Homan outlined the administration’s intention to widen the scope of deportations, targeting not only individuals with criminal records but also anyone in the country illegally. “Deportations will steadily increase as we move to open up the aperture,” he explained.
Controversial Measures
The administration has also shut down a Biden-era app that allowed asylum-seekers to schedule appointments at ports of entry. Homan dismissed the app as an “illegitimate method” for migrants to gain entry.
“Go to the embassy, go to the port of entry, do it the legal way,” Homan said, adding that asylum-seekers should not break US laws by entering the country illegally.
Political Pressure and National Security Concerns
The Republicans have tied their immigration policies to national security, citing high-profile cases such as the death of Georgia student Laken Riley, allegedly killed by a migrant. Homan called the incident “the face of the Republican immigration plan” and emphasized the need for stricter controls to prevent similar tragedies.
As the Trump administration escalates its immigration enforcement measures, critics and proponents alike debate the ethical and logistical implications of these sweeping actions. Congress now faces mounting pressure to decide on funding that could shape the future of immigration policy in the United States.