The Trump administration has announced an ambitious new target for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents: conduct at least 3,000 arrests per day nationwide.
This new benchmark aims to accelerate deportations and intensify enforcement of immigration laws across the United States.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that the 3,000-arrest goal is a temporary but minimum target.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, we are looking to set a goal of a minimum of 3,000 arrests for ICE every day,” Miller said, adding that the numbers will likely increase as enforcement efforts expand.
Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, supported the aggressive objective, saying on Thursday morning, “We’ve gotta increase these arrests and removals.”
Homan acknowledged progress but emphasized his dissatisfaction with the pace.
“The numbers are good, but I’m not satisfied. I haven’t been satisfied all year long,” he said.
In the first 100 days after Trump returned to office, ICE arrested 66,463 illegal immigrants. More than 65,000 were deported during this period, the Daily Mail reports.
Officials highlight that approximately 17,000 deportees had criminal convictions or pending charges, including offenses such as assault, weapons violations and driving under the influence.
ICE has specifically pointed to the removal of violent criminals, including gang members, murder suspects and individuals accused of harming children.
While these figures are notable, they remain far from the ambitious campaign promise Trump made to deport up to 20 million illegal immigrants.
Trump pledged to execute “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history,” signaling a continued crackdown on illegal immigration.
Despite successes, the administration has encountered legal challenges.
Some deportations involved sending illegal immigrants to a Salvadoran prison under the wartime Alien Enemies Act, raising questions about legality and human rights.
Additionally, some illegal immigrants were expelled to third countries where legal recourse is limited or unavailable, sparking criticism from immigrant advocates and international observers.
In April alone, ICE deported approximately 17,200 people—roughly 4,000 more than the number deported in April 2024 during the Biden administration.
This increase highlights the administration’s intensified focus on immigration enforcement, according to the Daily Mail.
Reports indicate that agents on the ground have found the process of tracking down illegal immigrants, especially those with criminal records, slower and more complicated than initially anticipated.
The administration has expressed frustration with enforcement agents’ progress and has sought new tactics to raise arrest numbers quickly.
Among these tactics is a controversial practice involving immigration courts.
Government attorneys have reportedly been ordered to dismiss cases as illegal immigrants arrive for hearings, effectively releasing them on the spot.
ICE agents then wait outside courtrooms to arrest these individuals immediately after they leave, circumventing traditional legal procedures.
This method has been used in several cities, including New York and Seattle.
Three immigration officials, who requested anonymity to avoid retaliation, described this approach as part of an effort to increase arrests rapidly.
This crackdown targets a broad spectrum of illegal immigrants, including those with no criminal history, individuals without legal representation and asylum seekers.
The American Immigration Lawyers Association has raised concerns about this practice, citing issues related to due process and fairness in the immigration system.
Critics argue that dismissing cases solely to facilitate arrests undermines legal protections for vulnerable populations.
While the administration insists these measures are essential to reinforce border security and enforce immigration laws, legal advocates continue to question the tactics and call for greater transparency and accountability.
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