U.S. media reports indicate that raids aimed at detaining and deporting undocumented migrants will commence on the first full day of Donald Trump’s second term, with Chicago potentially serving as the initial site. The operation, spearheaded by Trump’s “border tsar” Tom Homan, is expected to target “sanctuary cities” like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Trump has long pledged to launch the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. In a recent Fox News interview, Homan confirmed that a “big raid” would unfold across the country, with Chicago identified as a focal point. These raids, expected to begin on January 21, are set to prioritize criminal offenders and gang members, though experts warn that many long-term undocumented migrants without criminal records could also face deportation.
While Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regularly conducts deportations, this escalated campaign will likely target workers in industries like construction, where undocumented migrants are often employed, following a temporary halt under the Biden administration. Fear and uncertainty are already widespread among immigrant communities, with migrant farm workers seeking legal advice and preparing for potential workplace raids.
In addition to ramping up deportations, Trump’s administration may eliminate policies that protect certain spaces, such as churches, from ICE arrests. The ongoing crackdown comes as lawmakers prepare to pass the Laken Riley Act, which mandates detention of undocumented migrants suspected of criminal activity—even without formal charges—further intensifying the immigration debate.
The anticipated operations, however, face logistical challenges, with authorities already confronting limited space for detainees. As the Trump administration embarks on these controversial measures, migrant communities across the U.S. brace for what promises to be a decisive shift in immigration enforcement.
