Tom Homan, the border czar of President Donald Trump, called for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to carry out 7,000 daily arrests of undocumented migrants, more than double the current quota, following the recent approval of a massive fiscal package that expands the detention and deportation capabilities in the United States.
“For those who say that 3,000 a day is a lot, I remind you that we have to arrest 7,000 every day until this administration ends, just to catch up with those Biden let in,” Homan stated this Monday from the White House.
The request to increase the detention of illegal immigrants comes just a few days after Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill, a nearly 900-page law that allocates 165 billion dollars to the border security apparatus, allowing ICE to hire 10,000 new agents and doubling its detention capacity to 100,000 beds.
The Trump administration had already raised the daily quota of arrests to 3,000 in May, after starting the year with a target of 1,800. However, both Homan and presidential advisor Stephen Miller have expressed dissatisfaction with the current pace. "It's time to act with the full strength of the state," Miller said in recent statements.
According to figures from the government itself, during Joe Biden's administration, 11.5 million people "illegally" entered the country, the highest number in U.S. history. Of these, a majority were released after a brief detention.
The new tax legislation signed by Trump on July 4 radically transforms the country's immigration policy. From the allocated funds:
- 45 billion will be allocated to expand detention centers between 2025 and 2029.
- 29.85 billion will operationally strengthen ICE, including new hires, training, and tracking technology.
- 46.55 billion will finance the construction of new physical barriers on the border with Mexico, technological surveillance, and bonuses for agents.
Human rights organizations have expressed their concern about the impact of these measures. Among the reported risks are overcrowding, medical negligence, and lack of transparency regarding the whereabouts of the detainees.
With this legal and financial framework, Trump aims to solidify his vision of a deeply fortified immigration system, capable of operating with unprecedented levels of detention. Critics argue that this initiative represents an ideological transformation that prioritizes exclusion and punishment over integration policies.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Immigration Policy and the Trump Administration's Measures
Why has the number of immigrant arrests in the U.S. increased under the Trump administration?
The increase in arrests is due to the approval of the "One Big Beautiful Bill", which allocates $165 billion to the border security apparatus, allowing ICE to hire 10,000 new agents and doubling its detention capacity to 100,000 beds. This fiscal package aims to dramatically strengthen the U.S. immigration system as part of the tough immigration policy promoted by Donald Trump.
What are the main objectives of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" signed by Trump?
The "One Big Beautiful Bill" has as its main objectives the expansion of immigrant detention capacity, the operational strengthening of ICE, and the construction of new physical barriers at the border with Mexico. Of the allocated funds, 45 billion will be used to expand detention centers, 29.85 billion will strengthen ICE, and 46.55 billion will be dedicated to the construction of new barriers and technological surveillance.
What criticisms have arisen regarding Trump's new immigration measures?
Trump's new immigration measures have been criticized by human rights organizations and progressive sectors due to the risks of overcrowding, medical neglect, and lack of transparency regarding the whereabouts of detainees. Furthermore, it is argued that these policies prioritize exclusion and punishment over integration, and are accompanied by deep social cuts affecting millions of people in the U.S.
How has Trump's new immigration policy impacted Cuban migrants?
Trump's immigration policy has significantly affected Cuban migrants, drastically reducing the number of illegal crossings and restricting the entry of Cuban citizens with tourist, student, and exchange visas. The U.S. government has justified this situation by arguing that Cuba does not cooperate with U.S. authorities nor does it accept the repatriation of its deportable nationals.
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