The Trump administration has initiated an unprecedented deportation campaign, arresting 538 undocumented immigrants in its first days of office. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the operation as the "largest deportation operation in history", emphasizing that the arrests included a suspected terrorist, four members of the Tren de Aragua gang, and individuals convicted of serious criminal offenses. The operation targets immigrants with criminal backgrounds, specifically those charged with violent crimes, sexual offenses against minors, and other serious legal violations. Military aircraft were utilized to facilitate the mass deportation, signaling a robust and systematic approach to immigration enforcement.

President Trump's executive order titled "Protecting the American People Against Invasion" provides the legal framework for this aggressive immigration strategy. The order characterizes the recent immigration trends as an "unprecedented flood of illegal immigration" that poses significant threats to national security and public safety. The Republican-led House has further supported these efforts by passing legislation requiring detention of unauthorized immigrants accused of theft and violent crimes. This comprehensive approach involves expanding immigration enforcement capabilities, including granting immigration officer functions to multiple federal law enforcement agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and U.S. Marshals Service.

The deportation operation represents a dramatic shift from previous immigration policies, with the Department of Homeland Security authorizing broader enforcement powers. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued a directive allowing federal law enforcement agents to investigate, locate, and apprehend undocumented migrants across various jurisdictions. The new policies permit ICE to conduct enforcement actions in sensitive locations like schools and churches, which were previously restricted. Additionally, the administration plans to expand detention infrastructure, with plans to increase detention bed capacity and implement expedited removal processes that allow deportation without judicial review for individuals who cannot prove continuous presence in the United States for more than two years.

The Trump administration's immigration crackdown extends beyond immediate deportations, targeting sanctuary cities and states that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Executive orders instruct the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice to take legal actions against jurisdictions that resist federal immigration policies, potentially cutting off federal funding. The operation also includes plans to invoke national emergency powers at the southern border, potentially deploying military resources to gain "operational control" and recommending the use of the Insurrection Act for border enforcement. These comprehensive measures reflect the administration's commitment to its campaign promises of strict immigration control, with White House officials repeatedly emphasizing their intent to prioritize national security and public safety through aggressive deportation strategies.