Democrats and immigration advocates are sounding alarms after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a new operation that targets illegal immigrants at their immigration and asylum hearings, a move driven by President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to Fox News, ICE began rolling out its nationwide effort on Wednesday, aiming to arrest and rapidly deport migrants who have been in the United States for fewer than two years and appear for scheduled immigration hearings. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is instructing agents to drop pending immigration cases, facilitating expedited removals for those arrested.
This new tactic marks a significant shift from earlier enforcement strategies, which had focused primarily on illegal immigrants with criminal convictions. Now, even those whose only alleged offense is crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally are being swept up in the latest round of arrests. The Trump administration’s focus on enforcement and border security continues to be a defining theme as court battles over deportation policies play out.
Supporters of the Trump administration’s strategy argue it is long overdue, citing concerns that loopholes and lengthy court processes allow many illegal immigrants to remain in the country for years. ICE officers, according to sources who spoke with Fox News Digital on condition of anonymity, say Americans should “expect to see a lot more” arrests at immigration and asylum hearings in the coming months.
Critics, however, warn the policy could have far-reaching consequences for families and communities. The expedited deportation process—requiring DHS to drop pending cases before arresting migrants—removes certain legal protections and can leave migrants with little chance to make their case before an immigration judge. Opponents argue this raises due process concerns and risks separating families who have established lives in the U.S.
The policy also comes as the Department of Homeland Security faces legal scrutiny for its deportation practices. On Wednesday, a federal judge ruled that DHS violated a court order by sending a plane of eight migrants to South Sudan without proper “credible fear interviews.” These interviews are required to ensure migrants are not sent to countries where they could face danger.
U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy has emerged as a key figure in the ongoing legal debate. On Wednesday, Murphy ruled that the eight deported migrants—convicted of crimes including homicide and robbery—had not been given the interviews mandated by law. Such interviews allow migrants facing removal to a third country to argue they would be at risk if deported there.
Murphy’s ruling did not immediately halt the deportations but did prompt a review of whether the interviews could be conducted in South Sudan or if the migrants should be returned to the U.S. pending further proceedings. The judge’s scrutiny extends to other cases, such as proposed deportations to Libya, where Murphy previously found that any plans to remove people without notice would “clearly” violate his standing orders.
Legal experts and immigration advocates say these court battles highlight the complexity of immigration enforcement under President Trump. While DHS defends its right to expedite removals for those with no legal status, judges continue to insist that constitutional and humanitarian protections must be respected throughout the process.
Reaction on Capitol Hill has been swift and divided along party lines. House Republicans have expressed strong support for the new ICE initiative, arguing that stricter enforcement is necessary for national security and the rule of law. Some have targeted Democratic officials accused of obstructing ICE operations, pointing to recent controversies at facilities like Delaney Hall.
Democrats, meanwhile, have accused the administration of creating chaos and fear within immigrant communities. They argue that the new policy will lead to more family separations and undermine faith in the justice system. Some Democratic lawmakers have pledged to introduce legislation to limit the administration’s ability to expedite removals without judicial oversight.
The public response reflects this polarization. Advocates for tighter border controls say the administration is finally tackling abuses in the system. Immigration rights groups, however, warn that the policy’s reach could impact thousands of migrants who have otherwise followed legal procedures to seek asylum or relief in the United States.
Legal experts believe that the Trump administration’s expanded enforcement efforts could result in a significant increase in deportations, particularly among migrants who have not committed crimes beyond illegal entry. As more cases are dropped to enable expedited removals, the fate of these individuals will largely depend on ongoing legal challenges and the administration’s willingness to adjust its policies in response to court rulings.
ICE sources have indicated that the public should brace for “a lot more” of these arrests at immigration hearings around the country. For many migrants, the prospect of arrest at their scheduled court appearance adds a new layer of uncertainty as they navigate an already complex and often intimidating immigration system.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, under the direction of President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security, is now pursuing a strategy that could fundamentally reshape the way illegal immigration cases are handled in the United States. The outcome of the current court battles and public debate will determine just how far these new policies go—and what they mean for both the nation’s borders and its values.
