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Trump to Launch 'Operation Safeguard' Targeting Over 300 Violent Offenders in Mass Immigration Raids

Jan 18, 2025, 10:22 PM

President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20, plans to initiate an aggressive immigration enforcement campaign in his first days as president, including mass deportations and immigration raids targeting undocumented immigrants with violent criminal histories. Incoming Border Czar Tom Homan has announced that targeted immigration enforcement operations will begin next week, starting Tuesday, in multiple cities such as Chicago, New York, Miami, and San Diego. The operation, referred to as "Operation Safeguard," aims to fulfill Trump's campaign promise to oversee the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. Authorities are focusing on more than 300 individuals with egregious, violent criminal records. Trump's administration emphasizes that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will have the "handcuffs" placed on them by the previous administration removed, allowing for robust enforcement actions without apology. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that "President Trump and his administration are going to deliver on the promises that he made. One of many of those promises is launching the largest mass deportation operation in American history." Preliminary details of the raids have leaked, prompting the administration to reconsider the timing and specifics of the operations due to concerns about officer safety and effectiveness. Local leaders and immigrant rights groups in affected cities are urging calm and preparing to respond to the expected enforcement actions.