ICE ABUSE

Upon returning to office in January 2025, President Trump moved swiftly to broaden ICE’s powers and autonomy in immigration enforcement. On his first day, he issued an executive order declaring that all “inadmissible and removable aliens” would be targeted and that immigration laws must be enforced “totally and efficiently”. The administration justified these measures as necessary to combat an “unprecedented flood of illegal immigration” it claims was permitted under the prior administration. In practice, this has translated into a series of policies and directives expanding ICE’s authority:

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• Eliminating Restrictions on ICE Operations: The Trump administration rescinded Biden-era rules that had barred immigration arrests at “protected areas” like schools, hospitals, and churches. On January 20, 2025, it revoked the “sensitive locations” policy, giving ICE agents effectively “unbridled power” to conduct enforcement in places previously off-limits. This reversal allows ICE to operate in community spaces that were meant to be safe from immigration raids. By January 31, ICE issued follow-up guidance nominally requiring supervisor approval for operations in these areas, but advocates note it imposes minimal safeguards.
   

• Declaring a National Emergency & Militarizing Enforcement: In one of his first acts, President Trump declared an emergency at the southern border, which enabled deployment of military resources to support immigration enforcement. The administration adopted a “whole-of-government” approach, enlisting various federal agencies and even National Guard units to assist ICE in interior raids and border operations. This emergency declaration framed unauthorized migration as an “invasion” and was used to justify extraordinary measures in the name of national security.
   

• Expanding Fast-Track Deportation Powers: The administration greatly expanded expedited removal, a fast-track deportation process. Expedited removal allows ICE and Border Patrol officers to deport undocumented individuals without a court hearing or judge’s review. Historically limited to recent border crossers, Trump’s DHS moved to apply it nationwide, even to people arrested deep in the U.S. interior or those living here for years. This means a single ICE officer can decide to remove someone in a matter of hours, bypassing immigration courts. Immigration advocates warn this sweeping use of fast-track deportations lacks due-process and risks deporting people with valid claims or even U.S. citizens. (These changes have been challenged in court, as discussed below.)
   

• Mass Raids and Deportation Campaign: With increased resources, ICE has carried out large-scale operations across the country. The agency launched a mass deportation campaign, including hundreds of removal flights to deport migrants in bulk. ICE tactical teams have raided workplaces, farms, universities, and neighborhoods in coordinated sweeps. In one high-profile example, nearly 500 workers (mostly foreign nationals) were detained in a single raid at a Georgia factory in September 2025. Such raids represent a dramatic escalation in interior enforcement, often conducted with military-style tactics and equipment.
   

• Surging ICE Resources and Independence: Finally, President Trump secured unprecedented funding and structural support for ICE. In July 2025, Congress passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which allocated nearly $170 billion over four years for immigration enforcementcfr.org. This has enabled ICE to hire thousands of new officers, build new detention centers, and vastly expand its detention capacity. By November 2025, ICE held over 65,000 people in detention (a record high)cfr.orgcfr.org. The administration has also shaken up ICE’s leadership, installing hardline officials and reassigning regional directors to ensure alignment with its agenda. In sum, through executive orders, regulatory changes, and funding boosts, the Trump administration has empowered ICE with more autonomy, manpower, and tools than ever before to carry out a nationwide deportation crackdown.