Raids to detain and deport undocumented migrants living in the US are scheduled to commence on the first day of the new administration under Donald Trump, according to reports from US media outlets.
The initiatives, warned by Donald Trump's appointed "border tsar" Tom Homan, may kick off in Chicago, a city with a significant migrant population, as early as Tuesday, as outlined by the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.
President Trump has pledged to oversee the largest deportation campaign in American history.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency regularly conducts deportations of undocumented migrants. Nevertheless, the upcoming operation anticipated after Trump's inauguration on Monday is expected to focus on "sanctuary" cities that restrict collaboration with federal immigration authorities.
In addition to Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles are among the numerous US cities that have instituted "sanctuary" policies.
Homan addressed a Republican gathering in Chicago last month, stating, "January 21st, you're going to look for a lot of ICE agents in your city looking for criminals and gang members," reaffirming that such actions will transpire.
According to the Wall Street Journal, raids are also planned for New York, Los Angeles, Denver, and Miami, based on information from undisclosed sources familiar with the operations.
During President Biden's administration, ICE predominantly targeted illegal migrants who were serious criminals, recent border crossers, or posed national security threats.
Contrary to this, Trump's administration intends to initially focus on migrants with criminal records, although undocumented individuals who have resided and worked in the US for lengthy periods and have clean criminal records are also at risk of arrest and deportation.
Construction site immigration raids, where undocumented migrants are frequently employed, are anticipated to resume after being halted under the Biden administration, reported by CBS News, BBC US affiliate.
Preceding the projected implementation of harsher US immigration policies, more migrant farmworkers are seeking guidance on engaging with immigration authorities and making arrangements for temporary guardians for their children.
"People are already fearful, even though the administration has yet to be sworn in," mentioned Sarait Martinez, Executive Director of Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño, which provides support to Mexican farmworkers in California, according to Reuters.
However, the impending raids are predicted to present notable challenges for officials due to restricted detention facilities to accommodate those apprehended.
Additionally, the Laken Riley Act, named after a Georgia college student murdered last year by a Venezuelan man previously arrested for shoplifting, is anticipated to be ratified by US lawmakers the following week.
The proposed law aims to compel the federal government to detain undocumented migrants suspected of criminal activity, even without formal charges.