CHICAGO (NewsNation) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents say they made nearly 1,200 arrests Monday, setting a new record since President Donald Trump reintroduced his “zero tolerance” policy on illegal immigration after returning to the White House last week.
The surge in arrests came as Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited New York City on Tuesday and as ICE operations extended across major U.S. cities, including Chicago, Miami, Phoenix and Atlanta. Raids have also been reported in Los Angeles and Denver.
Noem shared a video on X showing one of the arrests with the caption, “Criminal alien with kidnapping, assault & burglary charges is now in custody” and added, “Dirtbags like this will continue to be removed from our streets.”
More than 1,500 active-duty troops at southern border
Since Trump’s return to the White House, ICE agents have reportedly arrested more than 3,500 undocumented migrants, with more than half occurring since raids began over the weekend.
Aiding in these efforts are more than 1,500 active-duty troops along the southern border, joining some 2,500 National Guard and Army Reserve troops already deployed in the area.
Tom Homan, Trump’s “border czar,” emphasized these efforts are just the beginning.
“President Trump’s going to secure the borders as promised to the American people. We’re going to enforce immigration law. So that’s what we’re going to do, without apology. We’re on board, we’re going to go forward, you’re going to see it get a hell of a lot bigger in the near future,” he said.
However, not everyone supports Trump’s tough new immigration measures.
Quaker groups have filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking ICE agents from raiding “sensitive locations,” such as houses of worship, playgrounds and hospitals, without approval from supervisors. This marks the first legal challenge to Trump’s policies from a faith-based organization.
Congress targets sanctuary cities
Meanwhile, members of Congress are starting to push back against local leaders who refuse to cooperate with Trump’s deportation efforts.
The House Oversight Committee sent letters to the mayors of Chicago, Boston, New York and Denver, requesting more information about their efforts to assist with the raids.
Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chair of the committee, called for the mayors to testify before Congress next month.
“Congress must determine whether further legislation is necessary to enhance border security and public safety,” Comer said in a statement Monday.
It is unclear whether the mayors will agree to appear before the committee.
