Early on Sunday, Chicago became the epicenter of US President Donald Trump’s escalated deportation agenda. Federal agents, supported by six agencies, launched a series of immigration raids targeting hundreds of undocumented immigrants. The operation, one of the most extensive under Trump’s administration, aimed to send a clear message about his commitment to immigration enforcement.
As per a Bloomberg report, at dawn, agents fanned out across the city. In the Hermosa neighborhood, they knocked on doors, shouting, “Come here,” and “Please open the door.” Many homes stayed dark and silent as immigrants—aware of their rights—refused entry without a warrant. But by mid-morning, fortunes shifted. A 28-year-old Mexican man, previously deported and with a criminal record, was arrested after returning home with tamales, the Bloomberg report said.
The raid, live-streamed by Trump border czar Tom Homan and television personality Dr Phil, showcased the scale of enforcement. Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE) later revealed that 956 arrests were made nationwide on the same day, underscoring the aggressive push.
Why it matters
- For undocumented immigrants across the United States, including members of the Indian diaspora, Trump’s aggressive deportation plan ushers in a new era of uncertainty, fear, and potential upheaval.
- Sunday’s operation, which led to 956 arrests nationwide, was marked by its scope and visibility. In Chicago, ICE collaborated with the FBI, DEA, US Marshals, and other federal agencies, targeting undocumented individuals, particularly those with prior deportation orders or criminal records.
- Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, defended the high-profile raids, asserting the importance of enforcing laws to deter future immigration violations.
- This escalation comes just days after Trump signed a series of executive orders aiming to facilitate mass deportations.
- Beyond undocumented immigrants, the ripple effects are felt by visa holders, mixed-status families, and even naturalized citizens, amplifying fear and uncertainty across immigrant communities. For Indian immigrants—the second-largest group overstaying visas in the US—the stakes are particularly high.
The big picture
Trump’s second term has brought intensified immigration crackdowns, reshaping enforcement dynamics. His broader strategy includes:
Relaxing “sensitive location” protections: Previously off-limits places like schools and churches are now subject to raids, further disrupting community sanctuaries.
Expedited removal: Expanded authority for ICE to deport individuals without court hearings is accelerating cases, raising concerns about due process.
Multi-agency coordination: Sunday’s raid involved ICE, the FBI, US Marshals, and other federal entities, highlighting the militarized approach to immigration enforcement.
Global repercussions: Resistance from countries like Colombia and Mexico has created diplomatic tensions, though Colombia ultimately agreed to accept deportees after the US threatened tariffs and sanctions.
Between the lines
Sunday’s raids reflect not only the administration’s logistical challenges but also the resilience of immigrant communities. Social media alerts, neighborhood networks, and knowledge of legal rights have made it harder for ICE to make arrests.
“Usually, it just takes the first arrest and the phone calls start,” said Matthew Putra, acting field director for ICE in St. Paul, Minnesota. This grassroots resistance is complicating the government’s ability to meet Trump’s ambitious deportation quotas.

Zoom in: What it means for Indians
For Chicago’s immigrant population, including its Indian diaspora, the implications are dire:
Undocumented Indian Immigrants: While the majority of Indian immigrants in the US are documented, a significant number overstayed their visas. For these individuals, the specter of raids and deportation has driven them into the shadows, cutting off access to essential services and heightening anxiety.
H-1B and other visa holders: Indian professionals dominate the H-1B visa category, which is under increased scrutiny. While the deportation raids primarily target undocumented individuals, the Trump administration’s broader immigration policies have tightened legal pathways, adding hurdles for Indian workers. Delays, rejections, and visa denials are becoming more common, forcing some to consider returning to India.
Mixed-status families: Families with members of varying immigration statuses face the constant threat of separation. Children who are US citizens may wake up one day to find parents deported. This instability has long-term social and psychological consequences, particularly for young children.
Legal permanent residents and citizens: Even legal residents and citizens of Indian origin report facing heightened racial profiling and xenophobia. The administration’s rhetoric has contributed to a broader climate of hostility against immigrants, especially those perceived as foreign.
Economic and social fallout
- Labor shortages: Undocumented immigrants play critical roles in sectors like agriculture, hospitality, and construction. Mass deportations risk leaving significant labor gaps, driving up costs for businesses and consumers alike.
- Psychological toll: Communities report increased anxiety and depression as families live in constant fear. Children in particular suffer as schools and other community spaces lose their sense of safety.
- Erosion of trust: Immigrants’ mistrust of law enforcement grows as raids escalate, deterring them from reporting crimes or cooperating with authorities.
- The global impact: Trump’s immigration policies are straining diplomatic ties. Colombia’s initial refusal to accept deportees carried by US military aircraft led to threats of trade sanctions and tariffs. Though the impasse was resolved, the episode revealed the fragility of US-Latin American relations under the administration’s hardline stance.
- India, too, is monitoring these developments closely. With its large expatriate population in the US, restrictive immigration measures risk souring bilateral relations. Indian government officials have repeatedly raised concerns about the treatment of Indian immigrants, particularly H-1B visa holders.
What they’re saying
- Illinois governor JB Pritzker called for balanced enforcement: “We need to secure our borders, but we must also protect law-abiding residents.”
- Advocacy groups condemned raids on sensitive locations like churches and schools, with Catholic leaders describing the actions as “turning places of solace into places of fear.”
- Tom Homan defended the administration’s approach: “There’s consequences of entering the country illegally. If we don’t show consequences, you’re never going to fix the border problem.”
If you’re in the country illegally, you’re on the table. No one is off the table.
Tom Homan, America’s new border czar
What’s next
- Trump’s immigration crackdown shows no signs of slowing down. His administration is pushing for:
- Increased quotas: Trump has reportedly ordered ICE to raise daily arrest numbers from 300 to 1,200-1,500.
- Expanded detention facilities: ICE has called for an additional 100,000 detention beds to accommodate the influx of detainees.
- Legislative changes: Executive orders targeting asylum seekers, birthright citizenship, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients are reshaping the immigration landscape.
- Meanwhile, immigrant communities are mobilizing. Legal aid organizations, local governments in sanctuary cities like Chicago, and advocacy groups are stepping up efforts to provide resources, fight deportation cases, and counter the administration’s narrative.
- The road ahead remains fraught, but as immigrant communities rally together, they remind the nation of its enduring promise as a land of opportunity and refuge.
(With inputs from agencies)