President Donald Trump's administration marks its return to power with a sweeping shift in immigration enforcement policy.

According to National Review, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detained 308 illegal immigrants with violent criminal records on Trump's first full day back in office, as announced by border czar Tom Homan.

The nationwide operation targeted individuals with serious criminal convictions, including murder, rape, and child abuse. Immigration authorities initiated the arrests on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a broader campaign aimed at removing over 1.4 million illegal immigrants identified as priority cases during Trump's second term.

Initial Wave of Arrests Spans Major U.S. Metropolitan Areas

Federal agents conducted operations across multiple major cities, including Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Miami.

Notable arrests included Edward Marlon Rauda-Aldnada, a sex offender from El Salvador apprehended in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Victorino Gaytan-Hernandez, a Mexican national convicted of minor sexual abuse, who was detained in Seattle.

In Philadelphia, authorities re-arrested 22-year-old Tajik national Kodir Mazhidov for violating release terms and facing additional charges of reckless endangerment and attempting to elude law enforcement.

Border czar Tom Homan shared details about the operation's focus on Fox & Friends, emphasizing their prioritization strategy. His statement highlighted the severity of the crimes committed by those arrested:

We're concentrating on the worst first. Some of them were murderers. Some of them were rapists. Some of them raped a child. Some sexually assaulted a child.

The Boston operation yielded particularly notable results, with the arrest of multiple MS-13 gang members and a Haitian gang member who had accumulated 18 prior convictions.

Emergency Border Measures Signal Broader Policy Shift

Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the southern border on Monday set the stage for these enforcement actions. The emergency declaration aims to address the unprecedented surge in illegal border crossings that occurred during the Biden administration's tenure.

Recent data from the Office of Homeland Security Statistics indicates that approximately 11 million immigrants were residing illegally in the United States as of 2022, with current numbers likely higher due to continued border crossings.

The administration's response includes the deployment of 1,500 additional active-duty troops to reinforce the existing 2,200 personnel stationed at the southern border, particularly in El Paso, Texas. This military presence supplements the broader enforcement strategy being implemented by federal authorities.

Immigration officials have reported significant changes in border statistics since the transition of power. Homan revealed that border apprehensions dropped to 766 in the first 24 hours of Trump's presidency, describing the policy shift as transformative.

Logistical Challenges Shape Implementation Strategy

The mass deportation initiative faces substantial operational hurdles, particularly regarding detention capacity. While ICE currently operates approximately 200 detention facilities nationwide, the scale of planned operations may require additional facilities to accommodate detainees awaiting deportation proceedings.

Chicago's experience illustrates the immediate impact of the enforcement campaign on local communities. Despite initial reports suggesting the city would be among the first targets, federal activity has been limited. However, the mere anticipation of raids has caused significant disruption, with foot traffic in shopping districts reportedly declining by half as residents remain indoors.

The implementation of these operations represents a dramatic departure from previous immigration policies. Homan emphasized the broad scope of ICE's authority, noting that conviction of serious crimes is not a prerequisite for removal under the Immigration and Nationality Act, which Trump activated through a day-one executive order.

Strategic Enforcement Timeline Unfolds

The first day of Trump's presidency has witnessed the launch of a comprehensive immigration enforcement strategy that combines immediate action with longer-term planning. Immigration authorities have begun systematically targeting individuals with criminal records while simultaneously preparing for larger-scale deportation operations expected to commence within the week.

The mass immigration enforcement operation launched by Trump's administration has resulted in hundreds of arrests across major U.S. cities, focusing initially on individuals with violent criminal records.

As federal authorities prepare for expanded operations, the impact of these enforcement actions continues to reverberate through communities nationwide, signaling a significant shift in immigration policy implementation and enforcement strategies.