President Trump launches unprecedented deportation operation targeting Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, determined to remove “millions upon millions” of illegal immigrants from Democratic strongholds despite budget concerns and fierce political opposition.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump has directed ICE to implement the “largest Mass Deportation Program in History” focusing on major Democratic-led cities.
- The operation targets an estimated 1 million illegal immigrants in Los Angeles, 560,000 in New York City, and 450,000 in Chicago.
- ICE is reportedly $1 billion over budget, prompting Trump to suggest redirecting other government funds if Congress fails to pass his funding bill.
- Trump has paused workplace immigration enforcement in industries heavily reliant on immigrant labor, such as restaurants, hotels, and farms.
- Democratic leaders have condemned the operation as politically motivated, while Trump maintains illegal immigrants are being used to “expand their voter base” and “cheat in elections.”
Trump Orders Massive Immigration Crackdown in Democratic Cities
President Trump has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to launch an unprecedented deportation effort targeting illegal immigrants in the nation’s largest Democratic-run cities. The directive, issued through Trump’s Truth Social platform, specifically names Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York as primary targets for enforcement actions. These cities collectively harbor millions of illegal immigrants who have long been protected by sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The President’s order represents a significant escalation in his commitment to enforcing immigration laws and addressing the negative impacts of illegal immigration on American communities.
“ICE Officers are herewith ordered, by notice of this TRUTH, to do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History,” President Donald Trump stated.
Trump told reporters that he wants Immigration and Customs Enforcement to target major cities, singling out New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. https://t.co/nXNfBQYr7x
— NBC4 Washington (@nbcwashington) June 16, 2025
Budget Challenges and Enforcement Strategy
The ambitious enforcement initiative faces significant financial hurdles. ICE is reportedly $1 billion over budget and may soon exhaust its funding. Recognizing this challenge, President Trump has suggested redirecting funds from other government programs if Congress fails to approve his proposed funding bill. This approach underscores the administration’s unwavering commitment to immigration enforcement despite financial constraints. The enforcement strategy also reflects a nuanced approach to different sectors of the economy, with Trump temporarily pausing workplace immigration raids in agricultural, hospitality, and leisure industries.
“Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace,” President Donald Trump explained.
This strategic pause demonstrates the President’s pragmatic approach to enforcement, balancing the need to remove illegal immigrants with economic realities. However, the administration remains focused on removing illegal aliens from urban centers where their presence strains public resources and impacts American citizens. The targeted enforcement in major Democratic cities represents a shift from workplace raids to more comprehensive community operations, particularly in jurisdictions that have historically resisted federal immigration enforcement.
Democratic Opposition and Local Impact
Democratic leaders have predictably condemned the President’s enforcement directives, characterizing them as political retaliation rather than legitimate law enforcement actions. California Governor Gavin Newsom has been particularly vocal in his opposition, making inflammatory accusations about the President’s motives. “Incite violence and chaos in blue states, have an excuse to militarize our cities, demonize his opponents, keep breaking the law and consolidate power. It’s illegal and we will not let it stand,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass defended illegal immigrants by claiming they are essential to the economy. “I don’t think the president understands that we have entire sectors of our economy that cannot function without immigrant labor,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said. The Mayor’s statement fails to distinguish between legal and illegal immigration, a distinction President Trump has consistently emphasized. While the administration recognizes the importance of legal immigrant workers in certain sectors, it remains committed to enforcing immigration laws against those who have entered the country illegally.
Political Motivations and Electoral Implications
President Trump has directly addressed what many conservatives have long suspected: Democratic support for illegal immigration is politically motivated. The concentration of illegal immigrants in major Democratic strongholds raises serious questions about representation and electoral integrity. Los Angeles alone, with an estimated one million illegal immigrants, potentially affects congressional representation due to population counts used in apportionment. This demographic reality has significant implications for American democracy and fair representation of legal citizens in government.
“These, and other such Cities, are the core of the Democrat Power Center, where they use Illegal Aliens to expand their Voter Base, cheat in Elections, and grow the Welfare State, robbing good paying Jobs and Benefits from Hardworking American Citizens,” President Donald Trump declared.
The burden on American taxpayers is substantial, with New York City alone spending billions on services for asylum seekers. This expenditure diverts resources from citizens and legal residents who require assistance. In Chicago, which has lost population in recent years, approximately 450,000 illegal immigrants compete for resources in a city already struggling with high unemployment and economic challenges. These realities highlight why President Trump’s enforcement actions, despite facing political opposition from Democratic leaders, likely enjoy significant support from ordinary Americans impacted by the consequences of unchecked illegal immigration.
