Immigration law enforcement operations are being up across the in cities around United States
Immigration enforcement actions took place in several cities on Sunday, initiating what President Donald Trump described as the start of widespread deportations. These are mainly aimed at migrants with criminal records, although there are worries that migrants without criminal histories might also be affected.
Border czar Tom Homan was embedded with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during the operation.
"You're going to see the numbers steadily increase, the number of arrests nationwide as we open up the aperture," Homan said. "Right now, it's concentrating on public safety threats, national security threats. That's a smaller population."
According to Homan, the persons detained in Chicago on Sunday included six convicted of major sex offenses, numerous gang members, and two others previously convicted of murder and aggravated sexual violence.
He also elaborated on the possibility of operations in locations such as churches and schools after Trump rescinded previous long-standing guidance that had designated such areas as “sensitive locations.” Decisions to access certain locations would be determined on a "case-by-case basis," Homan stated.
Homan stated that other unauthorized persons might face deportation operations by ICE. He stated on Sunday, "If you're in the country illegally, you're on the table."
Chicago Police said the "department does not assist federal immigration authorities with enforcement action solely based on immigration status" and "does not document immigration status and does not share such information with federal authorities." This is in compliance with the City of Chicago's Municipal Code, which contains the Welcoming City Ordinance.
Drug Enforcement Administration offices in various locations reported on social media Sunday that the agency assisted in the arrest or detention of illegal immigrants in the nation.
The DEA's Rocky Mountain Division claimed it, together with its federal and local partners, launched an operation at a "makeshift nightclub" early Sunday in Adams County, Colorado, when over 50 persons who were in the country illegally were detained.
In California, the DEA's Los Angeles branch said on social media that it was aiding other federal authorities in "enhanced targeted operations throughout" the city. The agency's San Diego branch also said that it was aiding with immigration enforcement activities.
According to the tweets, the arrests were made by ICE divisions in Washington, California, Louisiana, New York, and other states.
