The White House has emphasized that individuals in the U.S. illegally face deportation as part of a concentrated effort that mainly targets the most violent illegal immigrants. White House press secretary Abigail Jackson stated that the administration, including key figures like Border Czar Tom Homan and Secretary Noem, is aligned in executing President Trump’s policies, which prioritize the removal of high-level criminal illegal aliens, backed by their deportation achievements and a historically secure border.
“Anyone who is in this country illegally is subject to deportation,” Jackson noted, reiterating that Trump is committed to what could be the largest mass deportation initiative ever undertaken.
Currently, the administration, particularly the Department of Homeland Security, is engaged in an intense arrest and deportation campaign in response to the immigration situation that has persisted under the Biden presidency.
With a focus on communicating that detaining violent illegal immigrants is essential, broader mass deportation efforts seem to be less emphasized at the moment. Homan expressed concern in a recent NBC News interview, mentioning that failing to prioritize the arrest of criminals among undocumented immigrants could undermine public trust in the government.
Moreover, Homan believes that the majority of Americans support deporting illegal aliens who commit crimes. He maintains that pursuing such a strategy could foster public backing for Trump’s administration, provided it’s done humanely. He has, however, made it clear that focusing on criminals doesn’t mean neglecting others; rather, deportations will encompass all undocumented individuals.
On Tuesday, Press Secretary Caroline Levitt supported the ongoing mission to deport all illegal immigrants, emphasizing a priority on violent offenders. Homan added that targeting the worst criminals was consistent with their long-standing approach, which has frequently included reminders that all illegal immigrants are at risk of deportation under Trump’s leadership.
Since 2025, the administration has faced considerable pushback from critics as it has commenced immigration raids across cities including Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Minneapolis. Protests against these operations intensified in early 2026, particularly after a controversial incident involving an immigration officer—and tensions continue to rise.
The administration has made it clear it’s committed to its course in Minneapolis, enhancing cooperation with local law enforcement to facilitate arrests in controlled environments, like prisons, instead of local neighborhoods.
