Despite a notable increase in ICE arrests, President Donald Trump and border czar Tom Homan say current efforts are still insufficient. Both officials argue that immigration enforcement needs to expand further to remove more illegal immigrants from the country.
Homan stated that ICE’s interior enforcement has increased threefold over the past year, but he remains dissatisfied. “There are more criminal aliens that need to be arrested, hundreds of thousands,” he said, pointing to sanctuary city protections and leaks as barriers to more effective enforcement.
Trump has echoed Homan’s concerns, reportedly telling aides that ICE’s arrest figures remain “too low.” While acknowledging the challenges of locating fugitives, he made it clear that the administration is sending out thousands of enforcement officers to remove dangerous individuals from the U.S.
ICE data shows that in the past 18 days, roughly 11,000 arrests have been made, averaging 787 per day. However, some migrants have been released due to medical concerns and overcrowding in detention centers. Homan has instructed ICE leadership to ensure that no releases occur without approval from top officials.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has taken additional steps to enhance enforcement, requesting that IRS agents assist in investigating businesses suspected of hiring illegal immigrants. The request is aimed at identifying employers violating federal immigration laws and dismantling human trafficking operations.
Meanwhile, the administration is securing agreements with Central American nations to streamline deportations. Public opinion polling suggests that while most Americans support deportations, attitudes shift based on the methods used to implement them.
