Trump’s ICE SWEEPS Nation – Mayors CLASH Over Raids

Immigration authorities arrested hundreds of illegal immigrants with serious criminal backgrounds during a nationwide Memorial Day weekend operation that included suspected gang members and sex offenders.

At a Glance

  • ICE arrested 956 people in a single day during the nationwide operation—the largest daily total under the Trump administration
  • Major operations occurred in Boston, Denver, Houston, Newark, New York City, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and other cities
  • A raid near Austin, Texas specifically targeted 47 suspected members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang
  • Those arrested face charges including sexual assault, aggravated assault with deadly weapons, and drug trafficking
  • Most arrestees remain in custody pending deportation proceedings

Major Nationwide Immigration Enforcement

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out coordinated operations across numerous American cities over the Memorial Day weekend, resulting in hundreds of arrests. The enforcement actions targeted illegal immigrants with serious criminal backgrounds in Boston, Denver, Houston, Newark, New York City, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco. Federal authorities reported that many of those detained were implicated in severe criminal charges including sexual assault, aggravated assault with deadly weapons, and methamphetamine distribution.

According to NBC News reporting, the operation resulted in 956 arrests on a single day, marking the largest daily arrest total under the Trump administration. Of the nearly 1,200 total arrests reported, 613 were classified as “criminal arrests,” while the remainder involved nonviolent offenders or individuals whose only offense was crossing the border illegally. Since the beginning of the administration, at least 4,829 arrests have been made, with a daily average of 753 arrests over a six-day period.

Targeting Venezuelan Gang Activity

A significant component of the operation involved a raid near Austin, Texas, where federal and local law enforcement arrested 47 individuals suspected of being members or associates of Tren de Aragua, a notorious Venezuelan criminal organization. The U.S. Treasury Department designated this group as a transnational criminal organization in 2024 due to its involvement in human smuggling, illegal mining, kidnapping, human trafficking, extortion, and drug trafficking.

The Texas operation, based on FBI intelligence, involved multiple agencies including the Department of Homeland Security and the Hays County Sheriff’s Department. Among those arrested were 25 adult men, nine single females, and four female heads of households with nine children. The FBI confirmed that minors were among those taken into custody, and law enforcement seized drugs during the raid. Video footage showed protesters attempting to block ICE vehicles as they departed with detainees.

Operational Strategy and City Response

The Trump administration has directed ICE’s 25 field offices to enhance operations with a reported quota of 1,200 to 1,500 arrests per day. The strategy includes targeting three U.S. cities per week, with operations beginning in Chicago, New York City, and Aurora, Colorado—though the Aurora operation was temporarily postponed due to media leaks that authorities said posed operational security risks.

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 956 people on Sunday — the largest number of arrests on a single day by the Trump administration to date,” said Marlene Lenthang.

City responses varied significantly. In New York, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed coordination with the NYPD in apprehending a criminal suspect. Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stated that Chicago police were not involved in ICE activities. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, the mayor expressed solidarity with affected families and declared that local authorities would not collaborate with federal operations. These differing approaches highlight the complex jurisdictional issues surrounding immigration enforcement.

Legal Challenges and Deportation Proceedings

The enforcement operations occur amid ongoing legal disputes regarding deportation authority. The Justice Department is seeking Supreme Court intervention to allow deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, particularly following the designation of groups like Tren de Aragua as foreign terrorist organizations. A legal ruling temporarily halting deportation flights is being challenged by the administration, which argues for broader deportation authority.

Most individuals arrested during the Memorial Day weekend operations remain in federal custody pending removal proceedings. ICE reported that at least one detainee, identified as Torres Valdovinos, has already been deported to Mexico. The operations reflect an intensified approach to immigration enforcement targeting individuals with criminal backgrounds or gang affiliations, while simultaneously testing the legal boundaries of deportation authority under current law.