Trump's Aggressive Immigration Enforcement Begins with Mass Arrests and International Pressure

President Donald Trump is fulfilling his campaign commitment to arrest and repatriate criminal illegal aliens while also enforcing strict border security measures. In the week following his inauguration on January 20, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended more than 2,300 individuals unlawfully residing in the country, including a significant number on each day of that weekend, totaling 2,373 arrests from Thursday to Sunday. Cities like Sacramento, Boston, and Chicago saw increased ICE activity as they executed these operations.

In an effort to bolster these arrests, the Trump administration instructed ICE to increase their daily apprehensions of criminal illegal aliens to between 1,200 and 1,500. Notably, one individual apprehended was Juan Velasquez-Francisco, a Guatemalan national who had a prior conviction for lewd acts against a minor. The administration has also empowered additional law enforcement entities, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marshals Service, to assist in ICE operations.

These arrests form part of a "targeted enforcement operation," focusing on individuals who pose threats to national security and public safety. However, authorities have indicated that illegal aliens found in the company of criminal suspects may also face arrest. ICE commenced repatriation flights as early as Thursday, with reports indicating that Mexico accepted some deportation flights, although Colombian officials initially resisted returning their nationals; leading to a sharp diplomatic response from Trump, who announced tariffs on Colombian goods and travel restrictions against its officials.

In a swift turnaround, Colombian President Gustavo Petro agreed to accept all repatriated Colombian illegal aliens after the U.S. implemented sanctions. This development was viewed by the White House as a demonstration of America's renewed respect in international relations. On Trump's first day, he declared the border situation a national emergency, allowing for a surge of military resources to the southern border. The Pentagon confirmed it began deploying 1,500 active-duty troops, while Texas Governor Greg Abbott mobilized an additional 400 troops to collaborate with U.S. border agents.

Abbott's efforts included the provision of aircraft to support federal border security initiatives. Newly appointed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed the Pentagon's commitment to executing Trump’s directives regarding border security and the removal of criminal illegal aliens. Hegseth highlighted the urgency of the situation, labeling cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and emphasizing the Pentagon's proactive approach to accelerating border enforcement and deportation efforts. Additionally, the administration has reinstated strict immigration policies such as ending "catch and release" and resuming construction of the border wall.