The Trump administration is preparing to launch a major immigration enforcement surge in Boston, targeting the city’s sanctuary policies and escalating its crackdown on Democratic-led jurisdictions. Officials confirmed that the operation, expected within weeks, will involve a flood of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and could coincide with similar action in Chicago. The move is part of Trump’s broader promise to expand deportations and tie immigration to crime reduction, even as local leaders condemn the plans.
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Enforcement Surge Planned
Current and former administration officials revealed that Boston will be the next target in the federal immigration enforcement push. The operation may take place soon after or at the same time as a crackdown in Chicago. It marks another step in Trump’s campaign against sanctuary cities, which limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents.
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Sanctuary City Conflict
The Trump administration has repeatedly clashed with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu over the city’s sanctuary policy. Wu responded sharply to the latest plan, saying: “We are the safest major city in the country because all of our community members know that they are part of how we keep the entire community safe. Boston will never back down from being a beacon of freedom and a home for everyone. Stop attacking cities to hide your administration’s failures.”
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White House Justifies Crackdown
Senior White House officials argue that sanctuary cities pose the greatest national security and public safety threats. “The highest degree of national security and public safety concerns are in sanctuary cities,” said Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff. He stressed that enforcement in such jurisdictions is a priority for both safety and national security.
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DHS Defense of Raids
The Department of Homeland Security defended the planned operations, insisting they are targeting “the worst criminal illegal aliens, including murderers, rapists, gang members, pedophiles, and terrorists, across the country.” A DHS spokesperson said: “If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you will never return.” Officials claim sanctuary cities provide safe havens for criminals, putting American lives at risk.
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Broader Strategy Expands
The enforcement blitz is part of Trump’s larger plan to ramp up deportations nationwide. The administration recently secured billions in new funding through the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” designed to boost ICE operations. Border czar Tom Homan declared: “All these sanctuary cities that refuse to work with ICE where we know public safety threats are being released every day… we’re going to take the assets we have and move them to problem areas.”
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National Guard Possibility
The operations in Boston and Chicago could mirror tactics used in Los Angeles, beginning with increased ICE enforcement and potentially leading to National Guard deployments if clashes arise. Trump has already tied immigration enforcement to his law-and-order message. “We go in, we will solve Chicago within one week, maybe less,” he said this week. The administration has also approached military bases about supporting ICE operations.
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Federal Pressure on Cities
The Justice Department recently issued a list of sanctuary jurisdictions, accusing them of obstructing federal law. Attorney General Pam Bondi warned Boston, Chicago, and others that noncompliance could result in funding cuts, additional federal law enforcement deployments, and even criminal charges against local leaders. “You better comply, or you’re next,” Bondi said on Fox Business.