U.S. authorities have launched a large-scale crackdown on illegal immigration, arresting 538 undocumented migrants and deporting hundreds in the first major operation of President Donald Trump’s second administration.
The announcement was made late Thursday by the president’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt.
According to Leavitt, the deportations were carried out using military aircraft as part of what she described as the most extensive deportation initiative in U.S. history.
She emphasized that the administration is fulfilling its campaign promises to overhaul immigration enforcement.
The operation comes on the heels of a series of executive actions signed by Trump, including a declaration of a “national emergency” at the southern border and the deployment of additional military troops to the area.
These measures are part of a broader effort to target undocumented individuals and strengthen border security.
Earlier in the week, the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress approved legislation to expand pretrial detention for foreign nationals accused of crimes, signaling a tough stance on immigration enforcement.
In Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras J. Baraka criticized the raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
He stated that the agents targeted undocumented residents and U.S. citizens without presenting warrants, raising concerns about due process violations.
The crackdown has sparked widespread debate, with critics questioning the legality and humanitarian implications of such aggressive measures.
However, Trump has defended the actions as necessary to uphold national security and restore order at the border.
This campaign underscores the administration’s commitment to reshaping U.S. immigration policy, a key issue during Trump’s re-election campaign.
