The president Donald Trump ordered the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to intensify the detention of undocumented immigrants in the cities of Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, three of the main Democratic strongholds in the United States.
The directive was published this Monday on Truth Social, where it reiterated that this phase will be “the largest mass deportation operation in history.”
The Republican reported that immigration agents face daily assaults while carrying out their duties and offered them his full support.
"Every day, the brave men and women of ICE face violence, harassment, and even threats from radical Democratic politicians, but nothing will stop us from carrying out our mission and fulfilling our mandate to the American people," he added.
Trump justified the focus on Los Ángeles, Chicago, and Nueva York by stating that “millions and millions of illegal foreigners reside in those cities,” and accused them of serving as a power base for the Democrats.
“These and other similar cities are the core of the democratic power center, where they use illegal immigrants to expand their voter base, commit election fraud, and grow the Welfare State, stealing well-paying jobs and benefits from hard-working American citizens,” he stated.
The tone of Trump's statement has been described as extreme even among moderate circles, claiming that Democrats "hate the United States and want to destroy our cities."
"That's why they believe in open borders, transgender people for everyone, and men competing in women's sports," Trump continued, who also ordered ICE and other security agencies to "focus on crime-ridden inner cities and those places where sanctuary cities play such an important role."
Protests and repression
The measure comes after days of protests against the president's immigration policy, especially during the celebration of "No Kings Day" in Los Angeles and this past weekend in Miami, where thousands of protesters took to the streets in defense of immigrant rights.
In Downtown Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass declared a curfew on June 10 due to rising tensions. Meanwhile, the confrontation between Trump and Governor Gavin Newsom continues, with Newsom firmly rejecting federal intervention in the state. The dispute has reached the courts.
Exceptions for key industries
While ordering to expand deportations in urban areas, Trump had previously instructed ICE to suspend the arrests of immigrants in strategic sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, and restaurants.
On Saturday, he acknowledged that his policies negatively impact the economy: “We can’t take all our farmers and send them back... You go to a farm and look: people have been there for 20, 25 years. You throw them out and end up hiring criminals from prison or anything else,” he said during a press conference.
Social and Economic Impact
The mass raids are already having a visible effect on communities like Homestead, in South Florida, where agricultural activity has declined and fear has paralyzed hundreds of workers.
Immigrants make up up to 50% of the workforce in sectors like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture, and they contribute over $80 billion annually in taxes. Companies state that the jobs they leave behind are nearly impossible to fill.
Despite the devastating figures left by his policies, Trump concluded his statement on June 16 with a direct appeal to all the security agencies in the country: "To ICE, FBI, DEA, ATF, the Patriots of the Pentagon, and the Department of State, I give you my unconditional support. Now go and do the job!"
Frequently Asked Questions about the Intensification of Immigrant Detentions by ICE
Why is ICE intensifying arrests in cities run by Democrats?
President Donald Trump has ordered ICE to intensify arrests in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, claiming that these cities host millions of undocumented immigrants and are strongholds of Democratic power. Trump accuses Democrats of using these immigrants to expand their voter base and create economic and security issues.
What social and economic impact does this policy of mass detentions have?
Mass raids have created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities, affecting both workers and the industries that depend on them, such as agriculture and hospitality. Moreover, the fear has led many immigrants to avoid leaving their homes, which negatively impacts the local and national economy.
What challenges does ICE face in meeting the promised deportation figures?
ICE faces serious limitations in resources and personnel, with fewer than 6,000 agents nationwide, making it difficult to achieve the mass deportation goals promised by Trump. Additionally, community resistance and legal constraints complicate the implementation of these policies.
What measures has the Trump administration taken to address the overcrowding in detention centers?
The Trump administration has requested additional funds to expand detention infrastructure and has turned to other entities to increase the capacity of detention centers, which are currently operating at 120% capacity. It has also considered reopening closed centers and establishing agreements with private and state entities to utilize additional facilities.
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