President Donald Trump has escalated his hardline immigration stance, ordering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to significantly expand deportation operations in several major U.S. cities. The move follows widespread protests—some peaceful, some turbulent—that have intensified in response to recent immigration enforcement actions.
In a Sunday night statement posted on Truth Social, Trump instructed ICE to prioritize large-scale deportations in urban centers such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. He framed the move as a necessary step to uphold law and order and protect American communities from what he described as “an unchecked influx of illegal aliens.”
“Our Nation’s ICE Officers have shown incredible strength, determination, and courage as they facilitate a very important mission, the largest Mass Deportation Operation of Illegal Aliens in History,” Trump wrote.
The statement continued with sharp criticism of Democratic lawmakers and local officials who have resisted ICE activity in their jurisdictions. “Every day, the Brave Men and Women of ICE are subjected to violence, harassment, and even threats from Radical Democrat Politicians, but nothing will stop us from executing our mission,” he said. “ICE Officers are herewith ordered, by notice of this TRUTH, to do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History.”
The latest surge in ICE operations follows a wave of enforcement actions that began earlier this month. On June 7, coordinated raids in Los Angeles led to the arrest of hundreds of individuals living in the U.S. illegally, many of whom reportedly had prior criminal records. Similar actions have since been reported in other sanctuary cities, sparking immediate backlash from immigrant rights groups and progressive leaders.
Protests quickly erupted in cities like LA and New York, with demonstrators blocking ICE vehicles, holding vigils, and demanding an immediate halt to the deportations. Some of these protests turned chaotic, with confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement escalating tensions.
While the Biden administration previously scaled back aggressive ICE tactics, Trump’s return to what critics call a “zero-tolerance” approach has reignited a fierce national debate on immigration enforcement. Supporters argue the crackdown is long overdue and necessary for national security, while opponents warn of human rights violations and the trauma inflicted on immigrant families.
As ICE continues its expanded operations, the political and legal fallout is expected to grow—particularly in cities and states actively resisting federal immigration directives. With the 2026 midterms looming, Trump’s latest move is poised to remain a flashpoint in America’s immigration battle.
