The incoming Trump administration is wasting no time making good on its promises to tackle illegal immigration, signaling that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be unleashed on day one. Top officials have stated their intention to “take the handcuffs off” ICE, allowing agents to enforce immigration laws with renewed vigor. This tough-on-immigration approach is set to begin with large-scale operations, including a planned raid in Chicago targeting individuals with criminal records. However, Chicago won’t be alone—ICE has 24 field offices nationwide and plans to make its presence felt across the country.
Tom Homan, the incoming border czar, confirmed that the new administration is ready to hit the ground running. When asked about the Chicago operation, Homan revealed that it’s only one piece of a broader strategy. ICE, he said, will resume enforcing immigration laws unapologetically, prioritizing public safety threats but making no guarantees for those here illegally. The message from the administration is crystal clear: if you’re in the U.S. without legal status, you’re on notice. This approach marks a sharp departure from the policies of the outgoing Biden administration, which many conservatives criticized for tying ICE’s hands and creating a permissive environment for illegal immigration.
The Trump team has also emphasized its commitment to mass deportation efforts and bolstered border security. While initial efforts will focus on individuals with criminal convictions, the administration isn’t ruling out arrests for anyone in the country illegally. ICE currently has over seven million individuals on its non-detained docket—a staggering number that underscores the scope of the immigration crisis. A source familiar with the plan confirmed that operations will extend far beyond Chicago, with nationwide enforcement expected to begin immediately.
Not surprisingly, the administration’s aggressive stance is expected to meet resistance from sanctuary cities. Many Democratic strongholds, including Chicago, Massachusetts, and Arizona, have signaled their refusal to cooperate with ICE detainers, which request that local law enforcement notify federal authorities when illegal immigrants are released from custody. Despite this pushback, there are signs of cooperation in some areas. New York City Mayor Eric Adams, for example, has reportedly met with Homan to discuss removing illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes. It’s a rare instance of bipartisanship in an otherwise contentious debate.
Meanwhile, Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security nominee, has thrown her full support behind the administration’s plans. During testimony before Congress, she endorsed the mass deportation initiative and called for an end to the CBP One app, which currently allows migrants to request parole into the U.S. Noem’s testimony underscores the administration’s broader vision: prioritize national security, enforce the rule of law, and restore order at the southern border. With a new administration and a new playbook, the immigration debate is set to intensify, promising no shortage of fireworks in the months ahead.
