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Trump Administration Launches Immigration Enforcement Operation in Chicago, Involving Multiple Agencies and Overseen by Emil Bove and Tom Homan for Mass Deportations

Jan 26, 2025, 06:11 PM

The Trump administration has launched an immigration enforcement operation in Chicago, involving multiple federal agencies including the FBI, DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, and federal prosecutors, as well as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove and Border Czar Tom Homan are in Chicago to oversee and personally observe these operations, which are part of a broader effort to increase arrests nationwide and fulfill President Donald Trump's pledge for mass deportations. The operation began on Sunday, with officials targeting public safety and national security threats. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman recently issued a directive granting these agencies additional authority to enforce immigration laws. Over 1,400 arrests have been made nationwide since Thursday as part of this crackdown, though specific numbers for Chicago were not disclosed. The Chicago Police Department did not participate in the operations, in line with city law. The operation has caused tension in Chicago, with local immigrant communities on edge and several immigrant rights groups filing a lawsuit against the administration over the planned raids. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has criticized the operation, emphasizing the need to protect law-abiding immigrants.