The incoming administration of Donald Trump is prepared to begin its massive deportation campaign, with an estimated 150 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers expected to take part in a deportation raid in Chicago from Tuesday.
Citing two people familiar with the development, the New York Times reported that the plan is tagged “Operation Safeguard” and will commence immediately after Mr Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
During his campaign, Mr Trump had promised to carry out the largest deportation in American history.
There are no details about the scale of the operation yet, but hundreds of ICE agents have been asked to volunteer for the post-inauguration raid targeting illegal immigrants living in the United States.
Details of the operation are still being finalised but could begin next week.
Don Terry, a spokesman for the Chicago police, said the department would not “intervene or interfere with any other government agencies performing their duties” but noted that it “does not document immigration status” and “will not share information with federal immigration authorities.”
The “Operation Safeguard” would be conducted as a routine operation and extend to other major cities across the United States.
However, the plan is expected to face opposition in some cities, especially Democrat-run cities, who have vowed that they would not provide any assistance for the incoming administration in their operations.
