 "Migrants board a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for a removal flight, Fort Bliss, Texas, January 23, 2025. File Image/US Department of Defense via Reuters")
US immigration authorities arrested undocumented migrants in Chicago’s sanctuary city on Sunday continuing a heavy crackdown on illegal immigrants in the country, the Financial Times reported.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said on the social media platform X that its agents along with several federal agencies including the FBI had begun operations in Chicago.
The raids were led by Tom Homan, Border Tsar in the Trump administration, and acting Deputy Attorney-General Emil Bove.
Around 270 people were arrested during the raids, the Economic Times reported, citing journalist Phil McGraw, who was accompanying ICE officials and agents at the arrest sites in Chicago.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said it made 956 arrests nationwide on Sunday and 286 on Saturday.
Trump’s tough stance on immigration
President Donald Trump took a tough stance on immigration during his campaign and promised mass deportation for illegal migrants.
In his second term, he aims to deport approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants. The American Immigration Council estimates that such an operation could cost nearly $1 trillion and take over a decade to execute.
Additionally, the Trump administration is engaging in diplomatic efforts to secure cooperation from other nations in accepting deported individuals.
Trump administration’s tariff threats to Colombia
The Trump administration is also using other tactics, such as pressuring and giving tariff threats to secure the return of illegal migrants. For instance, after Colombia initially turned away two flights carrying deported migrants, the US threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Colombian goods.
This threat was later reversed when Colombia agreed to accept all illegal aliens returned by the United States without restrictions, including transport on US military aircraft.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe issue of illegal migration, described as “irregular migration,” was also raised during bilateral talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Both nations expressed a commitment to take action on it. India agreed to take back approximately 18,000 Indian citizens residing illegally in the United States.
Mexicans comprise the largest group born outside the US, followed by people from India and Poland.