US President Donald Trump has instructed federal agencies to intensify migrant detention and deportation efforts across the nation, as demonstrations against his immigration policies continue to escalate.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged agencies to fully commit to executing what he described as "the single largest mass deportation programme in history."
He specifically named Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York—cities currently witnessing widespread protests against immigration raids that began on June 6.
Trump has come under fire for his heavy-handed response to the protests, including legal pushback over his deployment of military forces to suppress demonstrations.
Despite this, he stated that his administration would mobilize all available resources to carry out the initiative, vowing to block individuals who "undermine the domestic tranquility of the United States" from entering the country.
Addressing agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Trump wrote, "You have my unwavering support. Now go, get the job done!"
The announcement came shortly after renewed nationwide protests under the banner of the “No Kings” movement, which held rallies from Los Angeles to New York on June 14. These coincided with a military parade in Washington, D.C., commemorating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and the president’s 79th birthday. During one such protest in Salt Lake City, Utah, a fatal shooting was reported.
Trump also directed immigration officials to target so-called "sanctuary cities," which limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. These jurisdictions, often at odds with federal policy, argue they are exercising their legal right to protect undocumented residents.
The move to escalate deportations aligns with Trump’s campaign pledge to implement the largest expulsion of undocumented immigrants in U.S. history.
While polls leading up to the 2024 election suggested strong public backing for this policy, the intensification of deportations has sparked even more public outcry.
Ironically, the order came just a day after the Trump administration reportedly instructed immigration agents to scale back workplace raids on sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and food processing, according to Reuters.
Source: BBC