On June 16, 2025, former President Donald Trump, who now has tremendous power, issued a sweeping order for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to expedite deportations, specifically targeting Democratic-controlled cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. He referred to it as "the single largest Mass Deportation Program in history".
/*A Firm New Policy*/
Trump directed federal agencies to "do all in their power" to arrest and deport unlawful migrants in major cities. Targeting 3,000 arrests daily, up from about 650, the crackdown treats sanctuary cities as priority targets. This is a dramatic political provocation before the next election cycle.
/*Cities Under Siege*/
Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York—Democratic stronghold states—are spearheading the operation. In Los Angeles, National Guard troops and Marines escort ICE operations in workplaces, schools, and courthouses. Protests are underway, with tear gas being discharged in a few places. Governors and mayors in several states are legally challenging the federal presence.
/*Logistical and Fiscal Pressure*/
ICE is already projecting a $1 billion budget deficit, supported by the recent surge in detentions and deportation flights. Trump is calling for a suggested "Big Beautiful Bill," a $75 billion, 5-year funding bill for ICE, but it is facing Senate resistance. In the event of an impasse, he threatened to use emergency powers, a step evoking earlier border wall strategies.
/*Social Fallout & Opposition*/
There is growing outrage about the program's seeming racial discrimination. Critics assert that it disproportionately targets migrants with no criminal history—recent statistics reveal an 807% boost in arrests of those with no record. Celebrities Kehlani, René Rapp, Olivia Rodrigo, and Kim Kardashian openly denounced the policy, and grassroots support groups offer legal defense and protest financing.
/*What's Next?*/
With legal action pending and outrage building in the public, the deportation wave is facing intense resistance. Economically, agriculture and tourism interests are sounding alarms regarding worker shortages—Trump has temporarily halted raids on those industries, a recognition of their importance. Politically, the action reinforces Trump's hard-right base but can generate political blowback if civil liberties or economic damage become too visibly obvious. The controversy promises to lead to a hot battle over federal overreach and immigrant rights.