In a social media post on X, Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “The Trump Administration has arrested 538 illegal immigrant criminals, including a suspected terrorist, four members of the Tren de Aragua gang, and several individuals convicted of sex crimes against minors.” She further noted that hundreds of these “illegal immigrant criminals” were deported using military aircraft.
“The largest deportation operation of 538 illegal immigrant criminals in history is underway. Promises made. Promises kept,” Leavitt emphasized in another post.
These actions follow a series of executive orders signed by Donald Trump on his first day in office, aimed at strengthening border security and expediting the deportation of undocumented immigrants.
Raids were conducted in Newark, New Jersey, a designated “sanctuary city,” where both undocumented immigrants and some legal residents were detained. Newark’s mayor, Ras Baraka, strongly criticized the raids, stating, “Newark will not stand by idly while people are being unlawfully terrorized.”
Trump also revoked policies limiting ICE agents from making arrests in sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship. Referring to migrants crossing the border illegally, he declared that his administration “shall take appropriate action to repel, repatriate or remove any alien engaged in the invasion.”
Positioning illegal immigration as a national security threat, Trump authorized military personnel to assist as immigration and border enforcement officers as part of the mass deportation initiative. Additionally, he ordered the suspension of the US Refugee Admission Program, effective January 27, 2025.
The suspension of the US Refugee Admission Program has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, immigration advocates, and international bodies. Critics argue that such measures undermine America’s long-standing tradition of providing refuge to vulnerable populations fleeing war, persecution, and natural disasters.
Amnesty International issued a statement calling the suspension “a flagrant violation of international humanitarian obligations,” adding that the United States must uphold its commitment to protecting refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention. Similarly, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed “deep concern” over the potential implications for thousands of displaced individuals awaiting resettlement.
Meanwhile, protests erupted across major cities, including Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Chicago, as activists and community leaders rallied against the administration’s immigration crackdown. Demonstrators carried signs reading “Immigrants are Human” and “Stop the Deportations,” demanding a reversal of what they labeled as “inhumane” policies.
Republican lawmakers, however, defended the administration’s actions of 538 illegal immigrant criminals, framing them as a fulfillment of campaign promises to restore law and order at the nation’s borders. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell praised the initiative, stating, “The American people voted for secure borders, and President Trump is delivering on that mandate.”
Despite the polarized political climate, legal challenges to the executive orders are already in motion. Advocacy groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) have filed lawsuits, arguing that several aspects of the policies violate constitutional protections and federal immigration laws.
In the weeks ahead, the debate over immigration is expected to intensify as both supporters and critics of the administration’s measures gear up for a legal and political battle that could shape the future of U.S. immigration policy.
