The incoming US administration under Donald Trump is preparing to launch an extensive operation targeting undocumented immigrants, starting with a large-scale raid in Chicago. This operation, dubbed 'Operation Safeguard', will involve 100 to 200 ICE officers and is scheduled to begin the day after Trump's inauguration. The raids aim to deport immigrants without legal papers, particularly those with criminal records, reflecting Trump's campaign promise of initiating the largest deportation program in American history.
Chicago has been selected as a significant target due to its status as a sanctuary city and the ongoing tensions between Trump's team and the city's Democratic mayor, Brandon Johnson. The administration has warned Johnson against interfering, threatening legal repercussions. The operation is part of a broader strategy to enforce immigration laws more aggressively, contrasting with the previous administration's approach, which classified such immigrants as low priority.
Tom Homan, the future border czar, emphasized that the raids will focus on public safety threats but will not exclude any undocumented individuals. This marks a continuation of Trump's hardline immigration policies from his first term, with plans for further nationwide enforcement actions.
