U.S. authorities have detained 538 undocumented migrants and deported hundreds more in a large-scale operation launched just days into President Donald Trump’s second term, according to a statement from his press secretary.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the news on social media platform X, highlighting the scale of the action. “The Trump Administration arrested 538 illegal immigrant criminals,” she wrote, adding that “hundreds” were deported using military aircraft. She called it “the largest deportation operation in history,” emphasizing the administration’s commitment to its campaign promises.
President Trump, who campaigned on a platform of stricter immigration enforcement, has wasted no time implementing executive actions aimed at tightening U.S. borders. His orders include declaring a “national emergency” at the southern border and deploying additional military personnel to strengthen border security. Trump has also reiterated his pledge to deport individuals he has labeled “criminal aliens.”
The operation drew criticism from local officials, including Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. In a statement, Baraka claimed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a raid on a local business, detaining undocumented individuals and U.S. citizens without presenting warrants.
In a related development, the Republican-led Congress recently approved a bill expanding pretrial detention measures for foreign nationals suspected of criminal activity. This move aligns with the administration’s broader agenda to overhaul immigration policies.