Trump Pushes for Expanded Deportations in Major Democratic Cities
As he headed to the G7 Summit in Canada, President Donald Trump announced a bold directive for federal immigration agencies to intensify deportation efforts, targeting Democratic-controlled cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. He called for launching what he described as the "single largest Mass Deportation Program in History," emphasizing a sharp increase in enforcement actions.
Targeting Illegal Immigrant Populations in Urban Centers
In a message posted on his social media platform, Trump urged Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to "do all in their power" to apprehend and deport millions of undocumented immigrants residing in the nation’s largest cities. This push signals an intensified focus on areas traditionally governed by Democrats, with millions of undocumented individuals estimated to live there.
Temporary Hold on Arrests in Key Industries
Alongside the aggressive enforcement plan, the President ordered a pause on detaining immigrants working in farms, restaurants, and hotels. According to a U.S. official familiar with the administration’s stance, the order responds to concerns about disrupting critical sectors affected by prior immigration raids.
Increase in Daily Arrest Targets
This announcement follows a significant ramp-up in immigration enforcement over recent weeks. Notably, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, noted as the main architect behind Trump's immigration policies, indicated plans for ICE officers to escalate daily arrest numbers to 3,000—a substantial jump from the roughly 650 arrests made daily earlier in Trump's second term.
Massive 'No Kings' Protests Across the U.S.
The directive coincided with widespread demonstrations organized by the No Kings coalition, which saw an estimated five million participants across all 50 states and over 2,100 cities and towns. These protests, aiming to voice dissent against the President’s policies, were timed to overlap with both the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary military parade in Washington and Trump's 79th birthday.
Protest Activities and Police Responses
While many gatherings remained peaceful, some cities experienced clashes with law enforcement. In Los Angeles, police deployed tear gas and crowd-control munitions to disperse protesters after scheduled events concluded. Similarly, in Portland, Oregon, officers used tear gas and projectiles to break up demonstrations held outside an ICE facility late into the evening.
Looking Ahead
President Trump’s call for an unprecedented scale of deportations marks a significant and controversial intensification of immigration policy enforcement, especially in urban centers aligned with Democratic leadership. This move is expected to influence immigration debates, public protests, and legal challenges in the months to come.
