Arrests made, deportations coming for illegal immigrants with criminal records, even in ‘sanctuary cities’

Hundreds of illegal immigrants are on their way out of the country after officials began what President Trump has called “the largest deportation operation in American history.” 

Starting Tuesday, Trump’s first full day in office, federal officials targeted self-designated “sanctuary cities,” such as Denver, Boston and Seattle, rounding up more than 300 illegal migrants, The New York Post reported, including men with convictions for child molestation and attempted murder. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are pursuing 700,000 illegal immigrants with criminal records, according to the Post, or nearly 10% of the 8 million migrants whom the Biden administration allowed into the country over the last four years. 

Border crossings spiked dramatically after Biden, a Democrat, took office, but Trump, a Republican who campaigned on enforcing border law, has already signed a slew of executive orders during his first week in office aimed at securing the border, including the end of “catch and release,” which allowed migrants to enter after being apprehended by Border Patrol. 

Trump’s Border Czar Tom Homan maintains ICE officials are “back to work” finding “the most serious public safety threats,” including those dwelling in sanctuary cities that have promised not to cooperate with federal deportation efforts. 

Even if sanctuary cities and states continue the practice of releasing illegal immigrants who commit crimes, Homan told the Post ICE will simply track the criminals down once they are released. 

Those already swept up this week include members of the MS-13 gang in Boston and a Haitian gang member with 18 recent arrests who shouted “F–k Trump, Biden forever!” Fox News reported; a 56-year-old sex offender from El Salvador who was arrested in Silver Spring Maryland; and Jose Barco-Chirino of Venezuela, who was apprehended at a Colorado State Prison where he was serving time for attempted murder, extreme indifference and felony menacing with a real or simulated weapon, The Post reported. 

Others included a Guatemalan man near Atlanta with a driving under the influence conviction who had previously been ordered by an immigration judge to leave the country. A Mexican man convicted of sexual abuse of a minor was picked up in Seattle. 

In Miami, a group of six Guatemalans with long rap sheets for crimes including child abuse, battery and fraud were detained. 

Those arrested will remain in ICE custody until an immigration judge rules on their deportation case. Under Biden, many illegal immigrants were released or given parole, even after being convicted of crimes. 

The migrant sweep has yielded some added benefits, including the detainment of other illegals picked up because they were with those on the list. Homan has said it’s not uncommon to find migrants together. 

Trump’s long-awaited enforcements are just getting rolling. 

The Department of Defense (DOD) has pledged military aircraft capable of transporting roughly 5,000 illegal immigrants out of Texas and California, Daily Caller News Foundation reported Wednesday. It will also send 1,500 troops, as well as helicopters with crews and intelligence analysts to support border security, the DOD said in a statement, representing a 60% increase in active-duty personnel there since Trump took office. 

The President has ordered 10,000 troops to the southern border with Mexico after declaring a state of national emergency there.