WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to significantly expand deportation operations in major Democratic-led cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. The directive, posted on Truth Social on June 15, signals an escalation in the administration’s hardline immigration strategy despite widespread opposition and recent nationwide protests.
A Call for the “Largest Mass Deportation Program in History”
In his statement, Trump instructed ICE to “do all in their power” to execute what he called the “single largest Mass Deportation Program in History.” He emphasized targeting “America’s largest Cities” where he claims “millions upon millions of Illegal Aliens reside.” The president accused these cities of acting as Democrat “power centers,” alleging that undocumented immigrants are used to “expand [Democrats’] voter base, cheat in elections, and grow the welfare state.”
“Now go, GET THE JOB DONE!” Trump wrote, urging ICE officers to intensify efforts in crime-ridden areas and sanctuary cities, which he claimed are shielded from immigration enforcement and are contributing to rising urban crime.
Conflicting Signals on Migrant Labor
The order comes just days after Trump took a softer stance toward undocumented migrant labor in the agriculture and hospitality sectors. During a speech on June 12, he acknowledged that many undocumented workers have supported U.S. industries for decades, stating: “They’ve worked for them for 20 years. They’re not citizens, but they’ve turned out to be great.”
Farm owners and hotel operators have reportedly raised concerns with the administration about the economic impact of mass deportations on their workforce. Trump’s earlier comments appeared to suggest future policy changes to protect some categories of migrant workers critical to the U.S. economy.
Escalation Amid Protests
The renewed immigration crackdown follows a week of protests across the country, including intense demonstrations in Los Angeles, where ICE raids led to clashes between protesters and federal authorities. Trump responded by deploying the National Guard and U.S. Marines to restore order in areas affected by unrest. The protests coincided with the June 14 “No Kings” rallies, the largest coordinated anti-Trump demonstrations of his second term.
ICE Ramps Up Enforcement Operations
ICE had already been ramping up operations even before the president’s latest directive. According to Reuters, the agency raised its daily arrest targets from 1,000 to 3,000 earlier this year following pressure from the White House. Border enforcement officials said that around 200,000 deportations have taken place over the past four months, a figure still trailing similar numbers during President Joe Biden’s administration due to a notable drop in border crossings.
Border Crossings Decline Sharply
Since the beginning of Trump’s second term, the number of migrants and asylum seekers attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border has dropped significantly. Border Patrol agents report monthly encounters have fallen to below 10,000—a stark contrast to the more than 100,000 recorded during the same period the year before.
Political Implications
The renewed focus on deportations plays directly into Trump’s broader 2025 campaign themes of national security, law and order, and voter integrity. The president and his allies argue that aggressive immigration enforcement is essential for protecting American jobs, reducing urban crime, and restoring public trust in electoral systems.
However, critics say the mass deportation strategy risks violating civil liberties, sowing fear in immigrant communities, and weakening key sectors of the economy reliant on migrant labor. Immigration advocates, legal experts, and local leaders in targeted cities have vowed to challenge the policies in court and through continued public demonstrations.
As Trump prepares to campaign on his record and vision for immigration reform, the nation remains sharply divided over how to manage undocumented immigration and its complex intersections with labor, security, and political identity.
