President Donald Trump has initiated a comprehensive deportation operation targeting undocumented immigrants, signaling an aggressive approach to border security. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the commencement of deportation flights, releasing photos of individuals boarding military aircraft. Between midnight January 21 and 9 a.m. January 22, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested over 460 individuals with criminal histories, including offenses such as sexual assault, robbery, and drug-related crimes. The arrested individuals represented nationalities from multiple countries, including Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Venezuela.

Trump's deportation strategy involves significant military support, with the Pentagon authorizing the use of Air Force C-17 Globemaster III planes for transportation. On his inaugural address, Trump declared that "all illegal entry will immediately be halted" and promised to return "millions and millions of criminal aliens" to their countries of origin. He signed an executive order declaring a national emergency at the US-Mexico border and directed US Northern Command to "seal the borders and maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States". The military has deployed an additional 1,500 active-duty soldiers and Marines to the border, increasing the force presence by approximately 60% to roughly 4,000 service members.

The Trump administration has broadened the "expedited removal" policy, allowing for swift deportation of undocumented immigrants who cannot prove continuous US residency for two years. This policy, previously limited to areas within 100 miles of the nation's borders, now applies nationwide. The Department of Homeland Security has also revoked guidelines that previously restricted immigration officers from entering "sensitive" locations like schools. Additionally, the administration has halted humanitarian parole and suspended refugee processing, signaling a comprehensive approach to immigration control.

Despite the ambitious deportation plan, experts acknowledge significant logistical hurdles. Joseph Nunn from the Brennan Centre for Justice suggests the operation is potentially lawful but "logistically extraordinarily complicated". Military leaders are expected to resist involvement, viewing the task as inappropriate for military personnel. The potential social impact is substantial, with Pew Research Centre estimating that 70% of households with undocumented immigrants also include legal residents. Critics argue that mass deportations could tear apart families, exacerbate labor shortages, and disrupt communities with deep-rooted connections. Representative Maxwell Frost emphasized that many undocumented residents have been in the country for over a decade and are integral community members.