In a significant escalation of immigration enforcement, hundreds of migrants were arrested in the United States on Thursday as the White House confirmed the initiation of President Donald Trump’s promised deportation operation.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that 538 undocumented immigrants were detained, with many reportedly deported via military aircraft. She proclaimed on social media platform X, “The largest massive deportation operation in history is well underway.”
Trump’s administration has long aimed to tighten immigration policies, with the president pledging a crackdown during his election campaign. On his first day in office, he declared a “national emergency” at the southern border and ordered the deployment of additional troops, emphasizing his commitment to deporting “criminal aliens.”
With an estimated 11 million undocumented migrants currently in the U.S., the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has been active in lodging detainers for non-citizens arrested on criminal charges, which they believe could be deported under the law.
However, this aggressive approach has drawn criticism. Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the UN rights office, stated that while countries have the right to enforce their borders, they must also respect the universally recognized right to seek asylum.
In Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka condemned ICE operations in his city, alleging that agents conducted a raid on a local establishment, detaining both undocumented residents and citizens without a warrant. Among those detained was reported to be a U.S. military veteran, further fueling the debate over the implications of these enforcement actions.
As the administration moves forward with its controversial strategy, the impact on communities and individuals remains a focal point of concern and discussion.
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