The Trump administration has recently set an unprecedented target for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), aiming for at least 3,000 arrests per day across the United States. This initiative seeks to expedite the deportation process and strengthen the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, discussed the new target with Fox News' Sean Hannity, describing it as a temporary but essential minimum goal. "Under President Trump's leadership, we are looking to set a goal of a minimum of 3,000 arrests for ICE every day," Miller stated, suggesting that this figure is likely to grow as enforcement efforts are further ramped up.
Supporting this aggressive goal, Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, expressed his views on Thursday morning, emphasizing the need to increase both arrests and removals. Although he acknowledged some progress, Homan also conveyed his dissatisfaction with the current pace of deportations. "The numbers are good, but I'm not satisfied. I haven't been satisfied all year long," he remarked.
During the initial 100 days after Trump's return to office, ICE officials have arrested 66,463 individuals deemed illegal immigrants. The Daily Mail reports that more than 65,000 of these individuals were subsequently deported. Notably, about 17,000 of those deported had criminal convictions or pending charges, including serious offenses such as assault, weapons violations, and driving under the influence.
The administration has focused on removing violent criminals from U.S. soil, including gang members, murder suspects, and individuals accused of child abuse. Despite these efforts, the administration's current achievements still fall short of Trump's campaign promise to deport up to 20 million illegal immigrants, which he described as "the largest domestic deportation operation in American history."
Legal challenges have emerged alongside these enforcement efforts. Controversy arose from deportations to a Salvadoran prison under the wartime Alien Enemies Act, prompting questions about legality and human rights. Concerns were also raised regarding the expulsion of illegal immigrants to third countries where legal recourse is often limited or nonexistent.
In April, ICE deported around 17,200 individuals—nearly 4,000 more than in April 2024 during the Biden administration. This increase underscores the administration's sharpened focus on immigration enforcement, but agents on the ground have reported difficulties in locating illegal immigrants, especially those with criminal records.
The administration has shown frustration with the pace of enforcement and is exploring new tactics to boost arrest numbers swiftly. One controversial tactic involves dismissing cases as illegal immigrants appear for hearings, only to have ICE agents arrest them as they exit the courtroom—a move that bypasses traditional legal procedures and has been employed in cities like New York and Seattle.
This approach, described by three anonymous immigration officials, aims to accelerate the arrest process. It has led to the targeting of a broad spectrum of illegal immigrants, including those with no criminal history, individuals lacking legal representation, and asylum seekers.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association and other critics have voiced concerns about this practice, pointing to potential violations of due process and fairness within the immigration system. Despite the administration's justification of these measures as crucial for border security and law enforcement, legal advocates are calling for more transparency and accountability in these processes.
As the debate continues, the Trump administration remains firm in its commitment to enforcing strict immigration laws, while opponents scrutinize the methods being used to meet these ambitious targets.
