- The Trump administration plans the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, targeting illegal immigrants, especially criminals and public safety threats.
- Sanctuary cities will lose federal funding if they refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement efforts.
- Over 1.4 million illegal immigrants with deportation orders remain in the U.S., alongside 300,000 unaccompanied migrant children with unknown whereabouts.
- The administration blames Biden’s open-border policies for record crossings, fentanyl deaths, and increased trafficking and terrorism risks.
The incoming Trump administration has announced plans to launch the largest deportation operation in American history and cut federal funding to sanctuary cities starting on Day One. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Border Czar Tom Homan outlined the administration’s aggressive strategy during recent meetings with congressional Republicans, vowing to reverse what they describe as the Biden administration’s disastrous open-border policies.
The announcement comes as the nation grapples with record-breaking illegal border crossings, a surge in fentanyl-related deaths, and growing concerns about public safety. Miller, a key architect of Trump’s immigration agenda, declared the administration will act “at light speed” to secure the border and remove illegal immigrants, many of whom he says pose a threat to national security and public safety.
A crackdown on sanctuary cities
One of the administration’s top priorities is cutting federal funding to sanctuary cities and states that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Sanctuary jurisdictions, such as New York City, have long been a flashpoint in the immigration debate, with critics arguing they enable illegal immigration and shield dangerous criminals from deportation.
“Right now, I’m taking sanctuary cities to toll,” Homan told Fox Business. “I’m going around sanctuary cities, hoping to meet with these people, and say, ‘This isn’t going to be tolerated anymore.’” He warned that mayors and other officials who obstruct federal efforts to deport illegal immigrants could face legal consequences.
The Trump administration’s plan includes withholding federal grants from sanctuary jurisdictions, which received over $1.56 billion in Justice Department funding in 2023 alone. Critics argue that these funds are being misused to support policies that undermine federal immigration laws.
The administration’s deportation strategy will prioritize removing criminal illegal immigrants and those who pose a threat to public safety. However, Homan emphasized that no one in the country illegally is exempt. He said they’re going to «take the handcuffs off ICE and put them on the bad guys.”
The scale of the operation is unprecedented. Homan cited the more than 1.4 million illegal immigrants who have already been ordered deported but remain in the country. He also highlighted the plight of over 300,000 unaccompanied migrant children whose whereabouts are unknown, many of whom are believed to be victims of trafficking or forced labor.
Reversing Biden’s open-border policies
The Trump administration’s plans stand in sharp contrast to the Biden administration’s approach, which is being widely blamed for the current crisis. Under President Biden, border crossings have reached historic highs, with over 2 million “gotaways” — individuals who entered the country illegally and evaded capture.
Homan pointed to the devastating consequences of these policies, including a 600% increase in sex trafficking, a surge in fentanyl-related deaths, and a 3,500% increase in arrests of individuals on the terrorist watchlist. “The border is the biggest national security vulnerability this nation has seen,” he said.
The Trump administration plans to reinstate several successful policies from its first term, including the “Remain in Mexico” program, which required asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims were processed. Homan also emphasized the importance of completing the border wall, which he said has proven effective in reducing illegal crossings and saving lives.
As the Trump administration prepares to take office, its immigration agenda has sparked both hope and controversy. Supporters argue that strong border enforcement is essential to national security and public safety, while critics accuse the administration of being inhumane.
“I think people are going to be pleased with the executive orders he is going to sign,” Homan said.
With the nation at a crossroads, the Trump administration’s plans represent a dramatic shift in immigration policy. For millions of Americans who have long called for stronger border security, the promise of action brings a renewed sense of optimism.
Sources for this article include: