WASHINGTON, June 16: U.S. President Donald Trump has directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to significantly escalate deportation operations targeting undocumented immigrants in major cities across the country. The announcement follows a wave of anti-immigration protests in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.
In a post on his platform, Truth Social, Trump declared the initiative as the “largest mass deportation operation of illegal aliens in history” and pledged full federal support for ICE and other enforcement agencies. “Our Nation’s ICE Officers have shown incredible strength, determination, and courage,” he wrote, accusing “radical Democrat politicians” of hindering enforcement through policies such as sanctuary city protections.
The president’s directive instructs immigration officials to prioritize deportations in Democratic strongholds, which he claimed are being used to “expand their voter base, cheat in elections, and grow the welfare state.” Trump cited these cities as key areas for ICE to concentrate its efforts, describing them as “crime-ridden” and “deadly inner cities.”
He further stated, “These Radical Left Democrats are sick of mind, hate our country, and actually want to destroy our Inner Cities — and they are doing a good job of it!”
In his statement, Trump linked illegal immigration with rising crime rates, and pledged to “reverse the tide of Mass Destruction Migration” which he claimed had transformed peaceful towns into dystopian environments. He asserted that these deportation measures were necessary to make schools, neighborhoods, and communities safer.
In a sweeping expression of support, Trump added, “To ICE, FBI, DEA, ATF, the Patriots at the Pentagon and the State Department, you have my unwavering support. Now go, get the job done!”
The announcement has already sparked sharp reactions from civil rights groups, immigrant advocacy organizations, and Democratic leaders, many of whom have condemned the language used by the president and expressed concerns over the human rights implications of mass deportations.
While ICE has yet to issue an operational statement, federal agencies are expected to begin heightened activities in the coming days.
