Tom Homan – the White House’s “border kingpin” – told CNN in an interview that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been “in the field” since Tuesday and have begun “targeted operations” against immigrants who pose a “public threat.” . .” . At the same time, he noted that arrests will certainly increase, because agents are not only looking for people with criminal records. The new White House administration has announced that arrests can be made in schools and churches. Reuters writes, The first flights with evacuees are scheduled for this week.
An official appointed to oversee the implementation of a central plan of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, which has promised to rid the country of thousands of immigrants, told CNN that “ICE is on the ground today, enforcing the law and of course… about threats to public safety, which is our priority.”
Homan said that while he would not use the word “raids” but rather “targeted operations,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are “going back to work that they haven’t been able to do in four years.” “.
He added that while the operation mainly involves people with criminal convictions, other illegal immigrants in the US who may be nearby will also be arrested. – The law (…) does not say anything that you should be convicted of serious crimes and deported from the country, so there will be more secondary arrests, he said.
On the first day of the new administration’s term, regulations banning services in “sensitive places” such as churches and schools were lifted, according to Fox News. Reuters confirmed the news on Tuesday, citing a statement from the new administration in Washington.
Homan did not disclose the specific locations of ICE operations, saying only that they take place across the country. Initially, Trump’s chosen “border king” announced the start of the operation in Chicago, but according to CNN, these plans changed after information about it was leaked to the media.
Cuban immigrant Wilfredo Cabrera Del Sol (second from right) who called on authorities to deport him (photo taken on January 21, 2025 in Miramar, Florida) Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press/East News
The official said that despite the most deportations of migrants in the last 10 years – more than 220,000 people – last year, the previous administration did not do its job, and most of the deportations were the work of the Border Guard Forces, and people were harmed only after crossing the border.
Homan also ruled out changing regulations put in place by Donald Trump to completely stop accepting new refugees. According to CNN, this affects, among others: former colleagues of US forces in Afghanistan and even families of US soldiers from there.
On Monday, Trump also signed a number of other immigration-related executive orders, including declaring a state of emergency on the Mexican border and classifying illegal immigration as an “aggression” that would require additional military forces. As a result, the right to apply for asylum was completely suspended and migrants crossing the border outside border crossings were automatically turned back.
Photo credit: Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press/East News
