WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration plan to escalate the crackdown on illegal immigrants in 2026 has sparked a renewed debate in American politics.
According to a Reuters report, the Trump administration is preparing to intensify its immigration enforcement efforts, even as next year’s midterm elections loom and public opposition to the policy continues to grow. The administration has decided to expand its crackdown with billions of dollars in new funding for immigration enforcement.
The new plans include ramping up raids on workplaces and business centers. Federal authorities have already carried out large-scale operations in major U.S. cities this year, where clashes between federal agents and local residents have occurred during raids in residential areas.
While the administration has so far avoided targeting farms and factories that are crucial to the U.S. economy but employ large numbers of illegal immigrants, this strategy is now shifting.
Under a major package approved by Congress in July, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol will receive an additional $170 billion in funding through September 2029. This is an extraordinary increase compared to the agencies’ current annual budget of $19 billion.
Administration officials say the additional funds will allow for the hiring of thousands of new agents, the opening of new detention centers, and an accelerated process of capturing immigrants from local jails. Furthermore, the plan includes partnerships with private companies to track down illegally residing individuals.
This expanded crackdown comes at a time when Trump’s political standing is increasingly under pressure. Analysts note that in cities like Miami, where a large immigrant population resides, the election of a Democratic mayor, Elaine Higgins, after three decades, reflects the growing public opposition to President Trump’s policies.
According to political experts and polling data, voters are no longer viewing these aggressive measures simply as an immigration issue but as violations of human rights and constitutional boundaries.–Reuters
