Trump Administration Plans Major Immigration Raid in Chicago

Donald Trump’s incoming presidential administration is set to launch a large-scale immigration raid in Chicago the day after his inauguration, according to the Wall Street Journal. The operation, expected to begin Tuesday and last a week, will involve 100 to 200 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Citing sources familiar with the plan, the report highlights Trump’s focus on immigration enforcement, a central theme of his campaign. His incoming border czar, Tom Homan, announced during a recent event in Chicago, “We’re starting right here in Chicago, Illinois. If the mayor won’t cooperate, he can step aside. If he impedes us or harbors illegal aliens, I will prosecute him.”

The Trump transition team has not commented on the report. However, during his campaign, Trump pledged to prioritize immigration enforcement. In January, he declared, “Within moments of my inauguration, we will begin the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.”

The administration is expected to mobilize government resources to deport record numbers of undocumented immigrants while pressuring sanctuary cities to comply. Chicago, known for its sanctuary policies, is likely to face significant federal scrutiny.

This development underscores the administration’s plans to amplify immigration enforcement across the nation. Chicago’s resistance to federal mandates may further heighten tensions between local and federal authorities.

Trump’s push to strengthen border control and immigration policy aims to deliver on his campaign promises, signaling a tougher stance on sanctuary jurisdictions. The planned raid reflects the administration's intent to make immigration a top priority during his term.

This move has sparked concern among immigrant communities and advocacy groups, intensifying debates over immigration policy and local government cooperation with federal authorities.