US President Donald Trump has ordered an expansion of the detention and deportation of migrants across the country, despite ongoing protests against his policies. In a post on Truth Social, Trump called on federal agencies to “do all in their power” to deliver “the single largest mass deportation programme in history”, specifically targeting Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.
These cities have seen large-scale protests against raids on undocumented migrants since June 6, with officials defending their legal rights to protect these individuals.
Trump’s directive signals a follow-through on his campaign promise to provide the “largest deportation programme of criminals in the history of America”. Although opinion polls suggested widespread support for this policy during the 2024 US election, protests have intensified since the deportation programme grew. The administration’s goal is to deport 1 million people annually, tripling previous records.
The order comes amid a new wave of protests against Trump’s immigration policies, including the “No Kings” movement, which demonstrated in cities from Los Angeles to New York on June 14. One person died in a shooting at a march in Salt Lake City, Utah. Trump has faced legal challenges and criticism for deploying the military to quell demonstrations, but he remains resolute in his approach.
Trump’s administration has also directed immigration authorities to focus on sanctuary cities, which limit their assistance to federal immigration authorities. Officials in these cities have defended their legal rights to protect undocumented migrants, creating tension between federal and state lawmakers. This new order follows a temporary pause on raids at farms, hotels, restaurants, and meatpacking plants.
In his post, Trump emphasized his commitment to the effort, writing, “you have my unwavering support. Now go, get the job done!” The impact of this policy is being felt across the country, especially in industries that rely heavily on immigrant labor.