President Trump orders ICE to launch the “largest Mass Deportation Program in History” targeting millions of illegal immigrants in Democratic strongholds Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, despite the agency facing severe budget constraints.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump has directed ICE to implement large-scale deportations in Democratic-led cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, which collectively house millions of illegal immigrants.
- ICE is reportedly $1 billion over budget, raising questions about funding for the expanded enforcement efforts, with Trump suggesting redirection of other government funds if his proposed funding bill doesn’t pass Congress.
- Trump has strategically paused immigration enforcement in sectors heavily dependent on immigrant labor, including farms, restaurants, and hotels, while intensifying focus on urban centers.
- Democratic leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, have strongly condemned Trump’s actions, calling them politically motivated and illegal.
- Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York face unique challenges with illegal immigration, including resource competition, housing shortages, and potential impacts on congressional representation.
Trump’s Immigration Enforcement Strategy Targets Democratic Strongholds
President Trump has launched a bold new phase in his immigration enforcement strategy, specifically targeting Democratic-led cities with large illegal immigrant populations. In a direct announcement on his Truth Social platform, Trump ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to implement what he described as “the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History.” The initiative specifically targets Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, cities that Trump identifies as housing “Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens” and serving as “the core of the Democrat Power Center.”
“ICE Officers are herewith ordered, by notice of this TRUTH, to do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History,” declared President Donald Trump.
The timing of this enforcement escalation appears connected to the recent “No Kings” protests that drew millions of demonstrators opposing Trump’s administration. Critics view the move as political retaliation, while supporters see it as necessary enforcement of immigration laws that previous administrations failed to uphold. The president has explicitly accused Democratic cities of using “Illegal Aliens to expand their Voter Base, cheat in Elections, and grow the Welfare State,” despite the fact that non-citizens are legally ineligible to vote in federal elections.
Trump told reporters that he wants Immigration and Customs Enforcement to target major cities, singling out New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. https://t.co/nXNfBQYr7x
— NBC4 Washington (@nbcwashington) June 16, 2025
Budget Constraints and Enforcement Priorities
A significant challenge facing Trump’s ambitious deportation program is ICE’s current budget situation. The agency is reportedly $1 billion over budget and may soon face funding shortfalls. Anticipating potential congressional resistance to additional funding, Trump has suggested he would redirect money from other government departments to ensure ICE operations continue unimpeded. This approach reflects his determination to prioritize immigration enforcement despite financial constraints, a move that resonates with his base of supporters concerned about illegal immigration.
“We must expand efforts to detain and deport Illegal Aliens in America’s largest Cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside,” stated President Donald Trump.
Interestingly, Trump has shown flexibility in his enforcement approach by pausing immigration arrests in sectors heavily dependent on immigrant labor. “Our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace,” Trump acknowledged in a recent statement. This selective enforcement strategy demonstrates pragmatism in balancing economic concerns with immigration policy objectives, while still maintaining a tough stance in urban Democratic strongholds.
Impact on Major Cities and Democratic Response
Each targeted city faces unique challenges related to illegal immigration. Los Angeles, with an estimated 1 million illegal immigrants, could see significant changes in congressional representation if large numbers of non-citizens are removed. New York City, with approximately 560,000 illegal immigrants, is already spending billions on asylum seekers while facing acute housing shortages. Chicago, home to around 450,000 illegal immigrants, has experienced population decline and high unemployment rates, with many residents expressing frustration over resource allocation.
“Incite violence and chaos in blue states, have an excuse to militarize our cities, demonize his opponents, keep breaking the law and consolidate power. It’s illegal and we will not let it stand,” said California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Democratic leaders have responded forcefully to Trump’s immigration enforcement push. California Governor Gavin Newsom accused the president of attempting to “incite violence and chaos in blue states” and promised legal challenges. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass argued that “entire sectors of our economy cannot function without immigrant labor,” though Trump has distinguished between legal and illegal immigrants in his policies. Meanwhile, community groups in targeted cities have established patrol networks to warn about ICE operations, and many immigrant communities report living in fear, limiting their activities to essential tasks like work.
Conservative Support for Enhanced Enforcement
Despite vocal opposition from Democratic leaders, Trump’s enhanced immigration enforcement resonates strongly with conservative voters who have long advocated for stricter border security and enforcement of existing immigration laws. Many conservatives view the targeting of sanctuary cities as appropriate, arguing these jurisdictions have deliberately undermined federal immigration enforcement for years. The focus on cities with the highest concentrations of illegal immigrants represents a practical approach to addressing what many conservatives see as a fundamental issue of law enforcement and national sovereignty.
The contrasting responses to Trump’s immigration policy highlight America’s deep political divide on the issue. While the debate continues, ICE agents have been instructed to significantly increase daily immigration arrests, particularly in sanctuary jurisdictions. As enforcement operations intensify, the practical, economic, and political consequences of this massive deportation effort will become increasingly apparent in the targeted cities and across the nation, potentially reshaping both America’s demographic landscape and its political future.
