Trump launches mass deportation campaign focused on Democratic cities

Monday 16 June 2025 - 07:00

By: Zahouani Ilham

Trump launches mass deportation campaign focused on Democratic cities

President Donald Trump has announced an aggressive deportation initiative aimed at Democratic-led cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where he claims large numbers of undocumented immigrants reside. Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that efforts to detain and deport "illegal aliens" in these cities must be intensified. He referred to these urban centers as strongholds of Democratic political power, repeating debunked conspiracy theories about undocumented immigrants voting in U.S. elections.

Deportation has become a central theme of Trump’s campaign for a second term, building on his past rhetoric about an “invasion” of criminal migrants. Recent immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles have triggered widespread protests, which have remained mostly peaceful but occasionally turned violent.

Citing these instances of unrest, Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles, a decision opposed by both city and state officials. In response, the state of California has filed a lawsuit to regain authority over the National Guard, arguing that Trump exceeded his legal powers. The lawsuit is currently under federal review.

Mayor Karen Bass extended a nighttime curfew in Los Angeles to curb looting and vandalism during the protests. She voiced concern over the impact of the raids on the city’s predominantly Latino population, noting that many residents are too afraid to leave their homes. She described the enforcement operations as indiscriminate and contrary to American values.

On Sunday, Trump published an extended post accusing ICE officers of facing threats and harassment from Democratic officials. Nevertheless, he vowed to carry out what he called the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. He further attacked Democrats for allegedly promoting policies such as open borders, transgender rights, and gender-inclusivity in sports—issues he linked to crime and social decay in urban areas.

Trump claimed that his administration was committed to reversing what he described as a migration-driven decline of American cities and pledged full governmental support to law enforcement agencies, including ICE, the FBI, and the Pentagon. Concluding his statement, Trump urged officers to “get the job done,” assuring them of support from “real Americans.”