The Trump administration has directed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to significantly ramp up arrests.
Recent operations have already seen nearly 1,000 individuals arrested in a single day, with officials planning to expand efforts in the coming weeks.
ICE reported that its officers made 956 arrests and lodged 554 detainers on a recent Sunday, focusing largely on the southeastern United States.
Detainers signal that ICE believes an individual is removable under federal immigration law. Among those detained were individuals in Florida and Puerto Rico, as highlighted by ICE’s Miami field office.
Border Czar Tom Homan explained that the administration is initially targeting violent offenders but intends to broaden its scope soon.
“Right now, it’s concentrating on public safety threats, national security threats. That’s a smaller population. But as that aperture opens, there’ll be more arrests nationwide,” Homan said during an interview on ABC News’ This Week. He noted that the number of daily deportations is expected to rise as enforcement operations expand.
President Donald Trump, dissatisfied with the pace of deportations, has reportedly instructed ICE to set ambitious arrest targets, raising daily quotas to between 1,200 and 1,500 arrests.
The administration’s push reflects Trump’s commitment to stricter immigration policies.
Supporters argue that these actions are necessary to protect communities and uphold the rule of law. “Removing criminal aliens from our communities isn’t just enforcement—it’s protection,” said the Atlanta ICE field office. “Ensuring the safety and security of our neighborhoods starts with upholding the law.”
With expanded operations on the horizon, the Trump administration appears resolute in its mission to make good on its promise of restoring immigration control, ensuring public safety, and prioritizing national security.