In just five days of the new Trump administration, the White House is eager to showcase its efforts in immigration enforcement, with reports of raids taking place all over the country.
On Thursday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) highlighted the arrest of 538 illegal immigrants and the issuance of 373 detainers in New York, Colorado, and Minnesota.
Officials also emphasized the occurrence of deportation flights, although immigration experts were prompt to note that the numbers and operations were comparable to those witnessed during the tenure of former President Joe Biden.
Why It Matters
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President Donald Trump made a campaign promise to carry out mass deportations and implement stricter measures at the southwest border. His border czar, Tom Homan, pledged an increase in ICE activity upon the president’s return to the White House. However, instead of large-scale raids in Chicago and New York City, smaller operations were conducted.
Americans overwhelmingly favor his mass deportation plans. Between January 2 and 10, a New York Times/Ipsos poll revealed that 55 percent of people strongly or somewhat favored such proposals. Eighty-eight percent agreed with “deporting immigrants who are here illegally and have criminal records.” A large majority of Democrats and Republicans agreed that the immigration system is flawed.
What To Know
Since January 20, there have been approximately eight confirmed or reported ICE raids. While some of these raids have been highlighted by the Trump administration, others have been brought to attention by various media outlets and local leaders. For instance, in Newark, New Jersey, a U.S. veteran was among those detained in a raid that occurred on Thursday.
ICE Raids Since January 20, 2025
In Fiscal Year 2024, spanning from October 2023 to September 2024, ICE officers averaged 310 arrests per day, with approximately 409 detainers issued. It is worth noting that the previous administration did not extensively publicize these activities, and not all immigration enforcement actions are disclosed to the public.
During the initial days of the new Trump administration, there were a series of raids that resulted in the arrests of individuals who had committed serious crimes. One such arrest was that of Luis Alberto Espinoza-Boconsaca in New York, who had been convicted of rape. Additionally, Cristofer Alexander Ramirez-Olivia was apprehended in Minnesota for his conviction of 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. These arrests were part of the administration’s efforts to prioritize public safety and hold individuals accountable for their actions.
In recent interviews, Homan emphasized that the primary focus would be on migrants who have committed serious or violent crimes. However, the widespread rumors of large-scale raids have instilled fear in many undocumented migrants, preventing them from venturing outside their homes, going to work, or even attending healthcare appointments.
What People Are Saying
In a recent post on X, the White House emphasized that the work being done by the Trump administration to secure the nation’s borders is just a small preview.
According to David Bier, the director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, he expresses his concerns about the situation under Biden’s administration. He believes that ICE might be exaggerating the number of criminals they apprehend on a daily basis. Bier suggests that there is a possibility that a significant portion of those individuals are noncriminals who are of more interest to ICE.
According to Tom Homan, who appeared on Fox News earlier this week, he stated that ICE is effectively carrying out their duties and adhering to the priorities set by the president. Homan commended ICE for their exceptional performance in the field and emphasized their commitment to continue their work diligently every day.
What’s Next
The White House seemed to be getting ready to provide regular updates on its immigration enforcement efforts. This would include sharing more statistics from ICE and showcasing footage of the work being done at the southwest border. In order to prepare for any potential ICE raids or encounters with Border Patrol agents, U.S. citizens and legal residents were being advised to carry identification with them at all times.