Leak reveals plan for extensive immigration enforcement operation in LA
A leaked memo from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement outlines a major immigration crackdown that was planned for Los Angeles, revealing a significant move by the Trump administration.
The operation in Los Angeles was set to be the first major ICE action ordered by President Donald Trump, aiming to deport 100,000 undocumented immigrants as part of a nationwide effort, as the Daily Mail reports.
The memo detailed an imminent sweeping immigration raid scheduled to occur before the end of February 2025 in Los Angeles. The operation forms part of a broader initiative to intensify deportations throughout the United States under President Trump's administration, which commenced on January 20, 2025.
Federal law enforcement agents, including personnel from the FBI and DEA in Los Angeles, are collaborating in this significant endeavor.
Troops, Additional Forces Deployed Along Border
In a bid to bolster the operation, thousands of ICE officers have been relocated to the San Diego border crossing. This strategic move seeks to facilitate the deportation of an estimated 100,000 immigrants to Central American countries and Mexico.
Moreover, about 1,500 active-duty troops, including a contingent of 500 Marines, have been dispatched to the extensive border in the past week. Supporting these deployments, additional forces from Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado have been mobilized to assist ICE efforts.
Intensifying Immigration Raids Under Trump
This crackdown marks the first substantial ICE initiative in Los Angeles under Trump's presidency. The enhanced collaboration between various law enforcement agencies signifies a coordinated effort to fulfill the administration's immigration objectives.
Tom Homan, identified as the border czar, has expressed his impatience with the current rate of deportations despite an uptick in immigration arrests nationwide, which now average between 1,000 to 1,200 arrests daily.
High-Profile Operations Promise More Activity
President Trump's prior commitment to an operation targeting gang members in Aurora, Colorado, provides context to this extensive initiative. This commitment underscores the administration's focus on comprehensive immigration enforcement strategies.
Confidential insights reveal a complex, multi-agency operation. One anonymous law enforcement source commented on the need for a greater number of personnel. Another source from the White House described the presence of a vast line of vehicles from DHS and CBP ready outside Camp Pendleton, framing this as one of the largest operations focused on capturing individuals without legal status.
Law Enforcement Anticipates Challenges Ahead
The timing of these measures remains susceptible to delays, attributed to potential resistance from local authorities in Los Angeles and the erratic nature of the Trump administration's current administrative strategies. Nonetheless, the detailing of the operation signifies a concrete plan by federal authorities.
Additionally, the strategy foreshadows subsequent actions extending to the East Coast soon. A White House intelligence source noted the impending intensification in California, suggesting that these operations could prompt significant reactions.
Federal Law Enforcement Involvement Increases
Reports from multiple branches of law enforcement feed into a clear narrative of readiness, highlighting both logistical movements and an increased federal presence at strategic locations. While the average number of immigration arrests remains notably high, Homan's remarks illuminate the administration's determination for further removals.
Emphasizing that initial achievements mark only the beginning, Homan iterated the need for sustained efforts. He recognized significant achievements during the first week of operations but underscored that further measures are necessary to achieve broader deportation targets.
Future Steps in Immigration Crackdown
With operations unfolding primarily on the West Coast this week, the East Coast is expected to witness similar actions soon. Federal commitment to this agenda remains critical, as demonstrated by vast deployments and notable activity at border regions.
This extensive strategy seeks to orchestrate synchronized efforts across federal entities to enforce immigration laws more stringently. The future holds promise for increased activity as federal bodies continue working on immigration enforcement measures.
The Bottom Line
As this high-stakes operation proceeds, the Trump administration's focus on enforcing immigration laws becomes increasingly pronounced.
It signals a determined and resource-intensive approach aimed at fulfilling longstanding political commitments.