ICE Plans Major Enforcement Operation in Chicago After Trump Inauguration
ICE is set to launch a significant operation targeting immigrants in Chicago soon after Trump’s inauguration
Chicago, USA, ICE, Trump, Deportation, Immigration
Chicago: So, it looks like ICE is gearing up for a big operation right after Trump takes office. They’re planning to target immigrants for several days, and it’s all based on some documents NBC News got a hold of.
Apparently, they’re going to hit multiple spots around the city. The operation could kick off as soon as Tuesday and might wrap up the following Monday, but those dates could change.
In an interview, Trump hinted that mass deportations would start quickly. He mentioned they’re ready to go and want to remove criminals who are here illegally.
There’s a briefing for agents involved in this operation, which they’re calling “Operation Safeguard.” It’s happening in Chicago, and it seems like a lot of agents have volunteered to help out.
While Chicago is the main focus, other cities might also see some action. Places like Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Los Angeles could be on the list too.
Trump has promised a massive deportation effort, and estimates suggest there are around 11 million undocumented migrants in the U.S. The cost to deport everyone could be over $315 billion, which is a hefty price tag.
Right now, ICE is facing a budget shortfall, so they might struggle to carry out these plans on a large scale without more funding from Congress.
Once migrants are arrested, they usually end up in detention before being deported. But it looks like there aren’t any available beds in Chicago’s detention facilities at the moment.
Tom Homan, who’s set to be Trump’s border czar, wants to see a lot more detention beds across the country. Currently, there are only about 34,000 beds available.
Interestingly, the Biden administration has been deporting more people annually than Trump did during his first term. The highest number of deportations in a single year happened during Obama’s time in office.
It’s also worth noting that targeting Democratic-run cities like Chicago could lead to some political backlash. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has already said he’ll protect migrants if they’re arrested unlawfully.
Homan has made it clear that the new administration is ready to tackle the political and financial challenges that come with mass deportations. He believes it’s crucial for national security.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com