The Trump administration’s aggressive push to deport undocumented immigrants expanded to Los Angeles on Saturday, with early morning raids targeting individuals with criminal records. The move is part of a larger nationwide crackdown that President Donald Trump promised during his campaign.
Pre-Dawn Raids Across Los Angeles
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents initiated operations in Los Angeles despite the ongoing devastation caused by Southern California wildfires. Sources reported to The Post that the raids will continue seven days a week, targeting areas strategically selected to avoid regions severely affected by the fires.
The raids are part of a broader effort by federal immigration authorities to apprehend and deport individuals with criminal records. Details remain scarce, but ICE detention centers in California are reportedly filling up quickly, forcing federal officials to scout additional facilities to house detainees.
Nationwide Crackdown Intensifies
According to an ICE press release, federal agents have conducted operations in several major cities across the United States, resulting in over 530 arrests between January 21 and January 23. The crackdown focuses on undocumented immigrants with criminal records, including individuals charged with serious crimes such as robbery, sexual assault, and drug offenses.
Arrests have been reported in multiple states, including New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Among those detained is Wisteguens Jean Quely Charles, a Haitian national with 17 criminal convictions, including drug trafficking and weapons charges. Charles was apprehended in Boston after local authorities previously failed to honor an ICE detainer.
In New Jersey, several undocumented workers were detained at a fish market in Newark. Advocates criticized ICE for allegedly using unmarked vehicles and entering the market without warrants.
Military Support and Legal Changes
The White House has deployed 1,500 troops to the southern border to support the deportation efforts. Executive orders signed by Trump have significantly loosened restrictions on immigration raids, allowing agents to target courthouses, churches, and other previously “sensitive” locations.
President Trump’s plan includes using military planes daily to expedite deportations. Tom Homan described the operation as the largest deportation effort in U.S. history.
Criticism and Controversy
The administration’s aggressive approach has drawn backlash from immigrant advocacy groups and local officials. Critics argue that the raids sow fear among immigrant communities and disrupt families.
Chicago Public Schools faced criticism for falsely claiming that ICE agents had entered an elementary school. It was later revealed that the agents were from the U.S. Secret Service investigating a separate threat unrelated to immigration.
Promises and Pushback
President Trump made mass deportations a central promise of his campaign, vowing to remove “criminal migrants” from major cities. ICE has highlighted cases involving gang members, pedophiles, and individuals with multiple DUIs as evidence of the crackdown’s effectiveness.
However, the raids have raised questions about the balance between public safety and the rights of undocumented immigrants. Advocacy groups are calling for greater transparency and oversight, arguing that the operation’s scope disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities.
The Road Ahead
As the operation continues, ICE agents are expected to increase their efforts, with arrests anticipated to rise in the coming days. Meanwhile, local governments and advocacy groups are bracing for more raids, with many urging undocumented immigrants to know their rights and seek legal counsel.
Despite the controversy, the Trump administration remains committed to its hardline stance on immigration enforcement, signaling that this is just the beginning of a broader effort to reshape U.S. immigration policy.