“Mass Deportations Set to Begin Tuesday Under Trump”
The incoming Trump administration is preparing a large-scale immigration raid in Chicago next week, according to sources familiar with the plans. This marks the first major move in President-Elect Donald Trump’s pledge to launch a mass deportation campaign.
The operation is set to begin Tuesday morning, the day after Trump’s inauguration, and will run throughout the week. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to deploy 100-200 officers for the raid. Trump’s campaign promise to execute the largest deportation effort in U.S. history is now taking shape.
The initial focus will be on undocumented immigrants with criminal records, even for minor offenses previously deprioritized under the Biden administration. However, others encountered during arrests may also be detained. Chicago, a sanctuary city with a large immigrant population, was chosen due to its strained relationship with Trump and its Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Tom Homan, Trump’s incoming Border Czar, previewed the crackdown during a visit to Chicago last month, warning the mayor against obstructing federal operations. The Trump team also plans to work with conservative media outlets to highlight the raids.
While neither the Trump transition team nor ICE responded to requests for comment, Illinois leaders like Mayor Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker have expressed strong support for immigrants’ rights. Governor Pritzker stated, “I’m concerned the Trump administration won’t follow the law.”
The raids come as Chicago grapples with an influx of over 51,000 migrants since 2022, following Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s relocation efforts. Community groups are mobilizing to educate immigrants about their rights and to ensure families have plans in place in case of detentions.
Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance prohibits local police from assisting ICE, and officials say they will not interfere with federal enforcement. Trump’s team is also exploring other strategies to pressure blue cities, such as repurposing facilities for detention centers and tying federal funding to immigration enforcement compliance.
The planned raids have sparked fears of labor shortages in industries reliant on immigrant workers, including agriculture, construction, and services. More raids are expected in other cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Denver, and Miami, as the Trump administration accelerates its efforts.