The Trump administration is pushing for more aggressive immigration enforcement, with both President Donald Trump and border czar Tom Homan making it clear that the current level of ICE arrests is not enough. While arrests have risen sharply since last year, they believe the agency must step up efforts to remove illegal immigrants, especially those with criminal backgrounds.
Homan, in a recent interview, said that interior enforcement operations are “three times higher” than last year, but he remains unsatisfied. “There are more criminal aliens that need to be arrested, hundreds of thousands,” he said, blaming sanctuary city policies and leaks for hindering ICE’s ability to carry out its mission.
Trump has expressed similar frustrations, stating that while he appreciates the hard work of immigration officers, the numbers are still too low. He acknowledged the challenge of finding fugitives but insisted that his administration is committed to increasing arrests and deportations.
Data shows that ICE has conducted around 11,000 arrests in the past 18 days, averaging 787 per day. However, some migrants have been released due to a lack of detention space or medical concerns. Homan confirmed he has spoken with ICE officials, stating that all releases must be reviewed and approved by headquarters.
The administration is also seeking additional resources to aid in immigration enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has formally requested that IRS agents assist in tracking businesses that employ illegal immigrants and help investigate human trafficking operations. This move is part of a broader strategy to hold employers accountable for hiring undocumented workers.
Additionally, Trump’s team is negotiating with Central American governments to streamline deportations. Recent polls indicate that while most Americans support tougher immigration enforcement, support varies depending on the details of how those policies are implemented.
