Deportation: Trump authorises raid on hospitals, churches, schools

The Trump administration has reversed longstanding policies that limited U.S. immigration and border officials from arresting migrants in designated “sensitive” locations, such as houses of worship, schools, and hospitals.

This decision marks the end of a policy that has been in place since 2011 and was later expanded under the Biden administration to provide further protections to migrants in these areas.

With this change, immigration officers are now authorized to carry out arrests at these previously restricted sites.

“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement.

“The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement and instead trusts them to use common sense.”

The second directive reinstates “expedited removal,” allowing US ICE to quickly deport undocumented individuals unable to prove over two years of continuous residence.

ICE agents will immediately begin nationwide operations to arrest and deport undocumented individuals, as confirmed by Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, who did not disclose where the raids would take place.

“They’re going to do it throughout the country. We have offices throughout the country, and every Ice officer is going to be out there and enforce the law starting tomorrow morning,” Homan said.