Immigration raids delayed after plans leak to media


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Immigration raids targeting sanctuary cities may face delays following media leaks about the planned operations, according to President Trump’s border czar Tom Homan.

Reports emerged Friday detailing Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s plans for extensive operations in sanctuary cities, scheduled for Tuesday after Trump’s inauguration. The Wall Street Journal indicated that Chicago alone would see over 200 ICE agents deployed.

During a Fox News appearance, Homan initially confirmed these operations, stating “It’s going to be a big raid all across the country,” and “Chicago is just one of many places. We’ve got 24 [ICE] field offices across the country. On Tuesday, ICE is finally going to go out and do their job. We’re going to take the handcuffs off ICE and let them go arrest criminal aliens. That’s what’s going to happen.”

While emphasizing ICE’s intention to “enforce immigration law without apology” prioritizing the most serious offenders, Homan warned that all undocumented immigrants could face enforcement actions, declaring “If they’re in the country illegally, they got a problem.”

However, Homan later expressed concerns to the Washington Post about the security implications of the leaked information. “We’re looking at this leak and will make a decision based on this leak,” Homan said. “It’s unfortunate because anyone leaking law enforcement operations puts officers at great risk.”

Addressing Chicago’s prominence in media coverage, Homan clarified the nationwide scope of the operations. “ICE will start arresting public safety threats and national security threats on day one,” Homan said. “We’ll be arresting people across the country, uninhibited by any prior administration guidelines. Why Chicago was mentioned specifically, I don’t know.”

He emphasized that the operations would be targeted rather than indiscriminate, stating “This is nationwide thing. We’re not sweeping neighborhoods. We have a targeted enforcement plan.”