This reactivation of Trump’s hardline approach has not only stirred political debate but also raised human rights concerns across the U.S. and Latin America. From Mexico to Colombia, countries are responding to a spike in deportations and raids, challenging the sustainability and legality of these measures.
How extensive are ICE operations under the new Trump administration?
Since early 2025, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has significantly intensified its operations, targeting urban hubs and sanctuary cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. On average, ICE agents have carried out between 600 and 800 arrests per day, a figure that falls short of the administration’s publicized goal of up to 1,500 daily arrests. Despite the rhetoric of focusing on criminal offenders, data indicates that fewer than 10% of detainees have violent crime records; most have been apprehended for minor violations or administrative immigration issues.
According to DW, Mexico alone reported the detention of 1,154 Mexican nationals through 111 ICE operations since Trump’s return. These actions form part of a broader sweep that has seen thousands detained and deported in a matter of weeks. Notably, these figures exclude migrants apprehended at the southern border, where daily crossings have plummeted amid fears of internal raids and detention.
What are the international and human consequences of mass deportations?
The consequences of this enforcement surge are being felt far beyond U.S. borders. Mexican authorities have expressed diplomatic concern, while countries like Colombia, which received over 475 deportation flights between 2020 and 2024, are now reconsidering bilateral deportation agreements. These deportations are not limited to direct returns; some migrants are rerouted through third countries or detained for extended periods pending processing.
One of the most controversial measures has been the reactivation of Guantánamo Bay as a detention center for migrants. Hundreds of individuals—primarily from Venezuela and Central America—have been sent to temporary facilities on the military base. Though initially framed as a solution for high-risk detainees, human rights organizations have raised alarms over legal access, living conditions, and the implications of using a military site for civil immigration enforcement.
As of May 2025, many detainees have been relocated from Guantánamo due to capacity limits and legal pressure. Still, the facility remains operational, with tent expansions enabling accommodation for up to 30,000 individuals, a move that has sparked intense scrutiny.
Is this crackdown legally sustainable and what lies ahead?
The administration has enacted several new legislative tools to support its enforcement agenda. Chief among them is the Laken Riley Act, passed in early 2025, which mandates the detention of undocumented individuals charged with a broad array of crimes—from property damage to felonies—without access to bond. States are empowered to sue federal agencies for non-compliance, significantly altering the legal landscape of immigration.
Civil liberties groups and immigration lawyers argue that these policies may violate constitutional protections and international human rights standards. Lawsuits are already underway challenging the indefinite detention of migrants and the use of military bases for civil confinement. Furthermore, logistical and financial constraints are emerging: maintaining large-scale operations like Guantánamo and deploying ICE units nationwide demand substantial public resources.
Despite these challenges, public support in some conservative states remains strong, fueled by rhetoric around national security and economic strain. Yet the international backlash—including refusals from Latin American countries to accept deportees—signals that diplomatic tensions may escalate.
How is the public reacting and what does the future hold for undocumented migrants?
Public opinion remains sharply divided. While some view the crackdown as a necessary measure to restore immigration control, others see it as an overreach that undermines American values and due process. Within the U.S., protests and counter-protests have intensified, especially in cities targeted by ICE raids.
Looking ahead, the future of undocumented migrants in the U.S. appears increasingly uncertain. Legal pathways remain limited, and humanitarian protections are being curtailed. The administration has hinted at even stricter rules, including limitations on asylum claims and the expansion of fast-track deportation procedures.
Ultimately, this chapter in U.S. immigration policy raises urgent questions: Can these aggressive measures endure legal and political challenges? Will international partners continue to cooperate amid rising tensions? And most critically, what long-term impact will this have on the millions of migrants living in the shadows?
