Michael Fortune

What does this mean in practice?

Undocumented immigrants are facing heightened scrutiny, and there are now penalties for those who fail to register with authorities.

This level of enforcement has many people talking about what it means for the future of immigration in America.

Then we have Operation Safeguard, which was kicked off right after the signing of the executive order.

This operation focuses on rapidly detaining and removing undocumented migrants with violent criminal histories, targeting urban areas specifically.

Thanks to these measures, the year 2025 saw over 2.5 million departures related to immigration issues, with around 605,000 formal deportations.

It's a staggering statistic, isn't it?

Furthermore, by mid-2025, arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE, surpassed 100,000.

This is a dramatic surge compared to previous years, signaling a very different approach to immigration enforcement.

But let's take a moment to unpack the numbers.

By December 2025, the capacity of immigration detention centers had increased nearly 75%, resulting in a record high of 66,000 individuals in custody.

Meanwhile, in February of the same year, we saw a significant drop in border apprehensions, 94% fewer compared to February 2024, indicating that these enforcement measures might be having an impact on illegal immigration at the southern border.

Moreover, the administration expanded the 287 program with 444 new agreements allowing local law enforcement agencies to assist in immigration enforcement.

This has created a complex dynamic between federal policies and local communities, especially in terms of community trust and safety.

Supporters of these policies argue that strict enforcement is crucial for national security and upholding the law.

They believe these measures are necessary to address illegal immigration and protect communities.

On the other hand, critics argue that the approaches have instilled fear among immigrant communities and strained relationships between federal authorities and local governments.

There are growing concerns about human rights, due process, and the dignity of those affected by these policies.

In examining all of this, it's clear that the Trump administration's hardline stance signifies a departure from previous policies, igniting debates about the effectiveness and humanitarian implications of these enforcement strategies.

Organizations like the American Immigration Council and the Center for Immigration Studies have shared their insights, analyzing the rapid expansion of detention and its associated impacts.