US authorities have arrested 538 undocumented migrants and deported hundreds in what the Trump administration is calling the largest mass deportation operation in history. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the development late Thursday, stating that military aircraft were used for the deportations.
“The Trump administration arrested 538 illegal immigrant criminals,” Leavitt announced on social media platform X, adding, “Hundreds have been deported. Promises made. Promises kept.”
The move comes just days into President Donald Trump’s second term, fulfilling his campaign pledge to crack down on illegal immigration. Since returning to office, Trump has signed multiple executive orders, including one declaring a “national emergency” at the southern border and deploying additional troops to enforce immigration laws.
Reports of aggressive enforcement tactics have sparked outrage among local officials and advocacy groups. Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of conducting warrantless raids, detaining both undocumented residents and U.S. citizens.
“ICE raided a local establishment… detaining undocumented residents as well as citizens, without producing a warrant,” Baraka said in a statement.
The Trump administration’s aggressive immigration policies have been met with resistance from Democratic lawmakers and civil rights organizations, who argue the measures violate due process and human rights.
In a related development, the Republican-led U.S. Congress passed a bill earlier this week expanding pretrial incarceration for foreign criminal suspects. The legislation strengthens detention policies for non-citizens accused of crimes, further aligning with Trump’s hardline stance on immigration.
As deportation operations intensify, legal battles are expected to emerge, with advocacy groups preparing to challenge the administration’s actions in court.
