Washington, D.C: US President Donald Trump has ordered federal agencies to launch what he described as ‘the single largest mass deportation programme in history,’ naming Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York as primary targets.
The directive comes with widespread protests and growing backlash over the administration’s immigration policies and use of federal force to suppress demonstrations. Posting on Truth Social, Trump ordered all federal departments to ‘do all in their power’ to execute the mass deportation strategy.
The White House Glows Gold as America Honors 250 Years of @USArmy Strength 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/8vuvOGOWk8
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Trump stated that, “I have directed the entire administration to put every resource possible behind this effort,” specifically addressing agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The announcement follows a surge of nationwide protests that erupted after federal immigration raids began on 6 June. Demonstrators, under movements such as ‘No Kings,’ have filled streets in cities coast to coast, voicing outrage at both the deportation operations and the administration’s aggressive response.
On 14 June, Trump’s 79th birthday and the 250th anniversary of the US Army, a new wave of protests swept through the country. Marches took place in cities from Los Angeles to New York, and one protest in Salt Lake City turned deadly after a shooting left one person dead at a No Kings rally.
Trump’s directive also concentrates enforcement efforts on sanctuary cities, and municipalities that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. These jurisdictions, including many of the targeted cities, have reaffirmed their stance to legally protect undocumented migrants. State officials in sanctuary cities have condemned the federal move, calling it a breach of local authority and a threat to community trust.
The deportation push is a cornerstone of Trump’s immigration agenda, which he reaffirmed during the 2024 campaign. While polling previously indicated substantial support for tougher immigration control, the continued expansion of deportation efforts has sparked increasing civil unrest and legal pushback.
Critics view the shift as a strategic pivot to avoid further economic disruption while redirecting efforts toward high-profile urban centres.
Despite mounting legal challenges and criticism over the deployment of military force during protests, Trump remains adamant. Trump declared that, “We will not allow anyone who undermines the domestic tranquillity of the United States to enter or remain in this country.”
As tensions continue to rise, all eyes remain on how cities, lawmakers, and communities will react to the expanding federal crackdown.
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