Washington, D.C. – The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is reconsidering next week’s planned immigration raids in Chicago and other cities following a leak of the operation’s details.
Tom Homan, Trump’s “border czar” and former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), confirmed the reconsideration in an interview with The Washington Post. “We’re looking at this leak and will make a decision based on it,” Homan stated.
ICE has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Details of Planned Raids
Reports indicated that as many as 200 ICE agents were set to begin operations in Chicago on Monday morning, targeting individuals heading to work or starting their day. The enforcement, expected to last several days, aimed to apprehend undocumented immigrants under deportation orders.
Other cities, including New York and Miami, were also identified as locations for the raids, with Chicago anticipated as the starting point. According to Homan, “targeted enforcement operations” would prioritize public safety and focus on individuals already flagged for deportation.
Trump’s Immigration Goals
In an NBC News interview, Trump reiterated his campaign promise to prioritize deporting criminals. “It will begin very quickly,” he said, emphasizing the urgency of removing individuals deemed a threat to public safety.
The administration has identified approximately 700,000 individuals in the U.S. illegally and under deportation orders. Homan explained that each operation had been meticulously planned, with specific targets identified to ensure officer safety.
Impact on Sanctuary Cities
Homan criticized sanctuary city policies, stating they complicate enforcement and pose risks to public safety. “Releasing public safety threats back into the community forces officers to conduct operations in neighborhoods,” he noted.
Despite resistance from local officials in sanctuary cities, Homan assured that the deportation operations would proceed, with or without local cooperation. “We’re going to do this,” he declared.
Public and Legal Concerns
Immigrant rights advocates and officials in Chicago have raised concerns over the potential impact of the raids. Dulce Ortiz, president of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, described the planned operations as disruptive and harmful to immigrant communities.
The Trump administration’s firm stance on immigration enforcement continues to spark debate, with many awaiting the final decision on whether the planned raids will proceed.
