Trump Pushes ICE for Mass Deportations in Democratic-Run Cities/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump directed ICE to prioritize deporting undocumented immigrants from Democratic-run cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. He aims to launch the most expansive deportation program ever, despite protests. Simultaneously, ICE paused enforcement actions in agriculture, hotels, and restaurants due to labor concerns.
Trump Orders ICE to Target Illegal Aliens in Cities: Quick Looks
- Trump directs ICE to focus deportations in major blue cities (LA, Chicago, NYC)
- Calls for “single largest Mass Deportation Program in History”
- ICE to increase to 3,000 arrests per day, up from 650
- Protests erupt across the country after deportation directive
- ICE enforcement halted in agriculture, restaurant, hotel sectors
- Trump credits National Guard with keeping LA protests peaceful
- Actions timed as Trump heads to G7 summit in Canada
- Enforcement changes aim to ease labor shortages in key industries
- Opponents hold largely peaceful “no kings” protests in major cities
- Border cities brace for heightened immigration crackdown efforts
Trump Pushes ICE for Mass Deportations in Democratic-Run Cities
Deep Look
President Trump has once again intensified actions on immigration enforcement, calling on ICE to expand its deportation efforts in Democratic-led urban centers. The directive, issued just before his trip to the G7 summit, marks a significant escalation in federal immigration strategy.
Targeting Democratic Strongholds
In a social media post Sunday, Trump urged ICE to “do all in their power” to carry out what he described as the “single largest Mass Deportation Program in History.” His message specified focusing on “America’s largest Cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago and New York,” where he claimed “Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside.”
The call coincides with a substantial ramp-up in daily arrests. White House adviser Stephen Miller has announced that ICE will target approximately 3,000 arrests per day— a steep jump from the 650 per day recorded in the early weeks of Trump’s second term.
Shifting Enforcement Focus
While intensifying efforts in metropolitan areas, the administration simultaneously ordered ICE to pause arrests tied to the agriculture, restaurant, and hotel industries. Trump explained these sectors faced critical labor shortages because deportations had swept away “very good, long-time workers.” An internal ICE memo from HSI official Tatum King reportedly instructed field agents to halt investigations in these industries.
Protests and Public Response
Trump’s stronger enforcement strategy quickly met backlash. Over the weekend, protesters in Los Angeles, Portland, and elsewhere rallied against sweeping ICE actions under the banner of “no kings,” referencing the parade Trump led in Washington for the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
Officials described the protests as mostly peaceful, though Los Angeles police used tear gas and other crowd-control measures to clear sections of downtown after the rally concluded. Portland authorities similarly dispersed demonstrators outside an ICE field office.
Trump attributed the calm in Los Angeles to the presence of National Guard units and cited them as essential to maintaining order. He told reporters that without the Guardsmen, “they would rip Los Angeles apart.”
Political and Economic Stakes
This policy move comes against the backdrop of continuing protests and ahead of negotiations at the G7 summit in Canada. Trump’s push to deport undocumented immigrants from coastal cities plays to a law-and-order base, while the enforcement pause in key labor sectors signals responsiveness to economic concerns.
However, the effort highlights conflicting goals: aggressive mass deportation in majority-Democratic areas on one hand, and protection of industry workforces on the other. The administration’s strategy underscores a complex balancing act between immigration policy, labor market stability, and political messaging.
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