In just three days under President Donald Trump’s new administration, the US government has initiated a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration, arresting and deporting hundreds of individuals.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed the arrests of 538 illegal immigrant criminals, including a suspected terrorist and several individuals convicted of heinous crimes. “The largest massive deportation operation in history is well underway. Promises made, promises kept,” she stated.
Among those detained are four members of the Tren de Aragua gang, as well as individuals convicted of rape, sexual conduct against minors and continuous abuse of children under 14. Leavitt emphasised that deportation flights, carried out by US military aircraft, have already begun, sending hundreds of migrants back to their countries.
“President Donald Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the world: if you illegally enter the United States of America, you will face severe consequences,” Leavitt declared in a series of posts on X.
The White House shared details of the operation, listing names of those arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Trump’s executive orders have also introduced new measures, including sealing the US-Mexico border, expediting deportations and prosecuting local law enforcement officials who fail to enforce immigration policies.
On Wednesday, the Republican-led House passed a bill requiring detention for unauthorised immigrants accused of theft or violent crimes. The legislation, aligned with Trump’s aggressive stance on immigration, is the first bill expected to be signed into law under his presidency, with some bipartisan support.
Additionally, Trump signed an executive order titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion, highlighting an “unprecedented surge of illegal immigration” over the past four years. The order cites millions of unauthorised entries and warns of significant threats to national security and public safety posed by those unlawfully present.