Related videos:
In a context of increasing public disapproval and tensions surrounding immigration, the U.S. Government is said to have begun modifying its approach to immigration control, according to a local source based on statements from the DHS.
The new approach would move away from visible and large-scale raids to prioritize operations focused on specific targets.
Agents will focus on apprehending undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of serious crimes, particularly those considered "atrocious," according to sources from DHS.
Gone are the widely publicized mass raids. Instead, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing to implement more targeted tactics, prioritizing the detention of undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records.
The Shift of DHS: From Public Raids to Specific Targets
In this new context, the DHS has begun to adjust its methods.
"The radical raids are not being well received by the public.", emphasized NewsNation.
According to Ali Bradley, the border correspondent for the mentioned outlet, the shift in focus has a name: Gregory Bovino, the commander of the U.S. Border Patrol, who leads the teams responsible for carrying out these operations.
"Teams from the Border Patrol under the command of Commander Gregory Bovino will change tactics in their ongoing enforcement operations," Bradley reported.
In Bradley's words:
“We won’t necessarily see them stopping people in the street as we have seen before, and in this situation, it was a raid at Home Depot. We did see someone running, and we witnessed this arrest in real time.”
Additionally, while some traffic controls will be maintained, the goal is no longer to intercept any undocumented immigrant, but rather to prioritize those with significant criminal backgrounds.
Mass Raids: Public Rejection and Political Consequences
Large-scale deportation operations, such as those carried out in public places like Home Depot stores or car washes, have become a recurring image of U.S. immigration policy. However, these tactics have faced increasing opposition.
According to a survey by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), public approval of President Donald Trump's immigration management dropped from 42% in March to 33% in December.
On the other hand, another survey by YouGov revealed that the majority of Americans disapprove of the mass raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
For immigrants, the impact has been even more profound. A joint survey by KFF and The New York Times found that nearly half of the surveyed immigrants claim to feel less secure since Trump's return to the White House.
End of public raids?: Not completely
Despite the change in strategy, some large-scale operations will still continue.
Such is the case of "Catahoula Crunch," recently deployed in New Orleans, which has resulted in over 250 arrests in a week and, according to the DHS, aims to reach a final goal of 5,000 detentions.
“Although the tactics are changing, operations like 'Catahoula Crunch' in New Orleans will continue,” warned NewsNation.
This nuance reveals that the shift does not represent a complete withdrawal from the hardline approach, but rather a tactical recalibration in response to a public opinion that is less tolerant of excessive displays of migration force.
Cities marked by raids and protests
In 2025, the Border Patrol has carried out visible operations in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Charlotte (North Carolina). These deployments did not go unnoticed: they sparked protests, confrontations with agents, and multiple allegations of abuses.
In many cases, immigrants were intercepted based on factors such as ethnicity, accent, language, or simply by being in a certain place at the wrong time.
This type of diffuse risk profiles has been harshly criticized by activists and human rights lawyers, who denounce an environment of racial harassment and discrimination still present under the new framework.
The political component of change
Migration remains a key component of President Trump's discourse, both during his first term and now in his second term at the White House. However, the political cost of extreme tactics seems to have raised alarms within his administration.
According to The Hill, “the change comes amid a streak of negative polls for President Trump regarding his offensive against immigration,” indicating a tactical adjustment rather than an ideological one.
At a strategic level, the new immigration policy aims to present an active government in border security, but less prone to public displays that undermine electoral support, especially among independent voters and moderate Latino communities.
What can immigrants expect from now on?
Although the spectacular raids may decrease in frequency, selective enforcement remains in effect.
For undocumented immigrants without a criminal record, this measure could provide a slight relief in their everyday lives.
However, for those with previous convictions, the prosecution will be more systematic and targeted.
Filed under: