President-elect Donald Trump is set to launch the first phase of his mass deportation efforts as early as Tuesday, the day after his inauguration, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
The Wall Street Journal has revealed that a large-scale immigration raid is planned for Chicago, with the operation expected to extend throughout the week.
In addition to Chicago, cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Denver, and Miami are reportedly targeted in the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration plan.
More raids may be carried out as part of the larger initiative, the Journal reported.
Families in Chicago, bracing for the impact of the planned deportations, had already expressed fears that raids could begin as soon as next week.
This mass deportation strategy was a central theme of Trump’s campaign leading up to the 2024 presidential election.
“On Day One, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out,” Trump said during a rally in New York City in October.
“I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered, and we will put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then kick them the hell out of our country as fast as possible.”
Before the inauguration, Tom Homan, Trump’s incoming “border czar,” had already singled out Chicago as “ground zero” for the mass deportations. Homan also warned local officials about impeding the raids.
“If the Chicago mayor doesn’t want to help, he can step aside. But if he impedes us, if he knowingly harbors or conceals an illegal alien, I will prosecute him,” Homan said in late 2024, according to the Wall Street Journal.
