In a coordinated series of raids across several states, law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Customs and Border Protection, and the US Marshals Service, executed operations in Chicago, Illinois. These efforts resulted in the arrest of 956 individuals, raising the total number of arrests since President Trump took office to 2,681. The DEA confirmed that the immigration status of those arrested was "questionable," and substantial quantities of drugs, weapons, and cash were seized during these raids.
The Trump administration has issued a directive to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field offices to achieve a target of 75 arrests daily, holding agency managers accountable for any shortfall. This aggressive approach reflects the administration's intensified focus on immigration enforcement. In Chicago, ICE confirmed they were conducting "enhanced targeted operations," while in San Jose, California, the mayor acknowledged targeted actions by ICE agents in the city.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expressed his intent to cooperate with federal efforts to deport individuals accused or convicted of violent crimes. However, he emphasized Illinois' commitment to enforcing its "sanctuary state" laws.
“We’re going to follow the law in Illinois,” stated Pritzker. “We expect them to do the same, and I’m very afraid they will not follow the law.”
Dr. Phil McGraw, known for his television persona, joined an arrest operation alongside Tom Homan, the US border czar, in Chicago. Addressing concerns about the nature of these operations, Dr. Phil clarified:
“Not sweeping neighborhoods like people are trying to imply.”
In Denver, Colorado, federal agents made 41 arrests at a makeshift nightclub, including four members of the Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua. The focus on this gang follows President Trump's emphasis on their presence in Aurora apartment blocks as part of his anti-illegal immigration campaign.
Arrests also occurred outside a Home Depot in Tucson, Arizona, and within Dominican immigrant neighborhoods in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In Phoenix, reports emerged that Indigenous people from the Navajo Nation and other tribes had been detained during immigration sweeps. The DEA's Rocky Mountain division confirmed that detainees were handed over to ICE.
In response to these operations, Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth issued a joint statement expressing concerns over the broader implications of the Trump administration's deportation strategy.
“We can all agree we that we must remove dangerous individuals who are here illegally. But the actions being taken by the Trump admin go beyond those goals,” they warned.
The raids have sparked debate about their scope and intent. While some support the removal of individuals who pose a danger to society, others argue that the operations have extended beyond targeting criminals.
"If you don’t, get the hell out of the way," asserted Tom Homan, emphasizing the administration's resolve in pursuing its objectives.
Navajo Nation leaders voiced concerns about Indigenous members being caught up in these sweeps, highlighting potential oversights in the process. This has added another layer of complexity to an already controversial set of actions.