Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's appointed border czar, has urged the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to initiate 7,000 daily arrests of undocumented immigrants, significantly exceeding the current quota. This call for action follows the recent passing of a massive fiscal package that enhances detention and deportation capacities within the United States. "For those who argue that 3,000 arrests per day are excessive, I remind you, we need to detain 7,000 every day until this administration ends, just to catch up with those Biden allowed in," stated Homan on Monday from the White House.
The demand for increased detentions of illegal immigrants comes shortly after Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill, an extensive 900-page law allocating $165 billion to bolster border security. This legislation enables ICE to hire an additional 10,000 agents and double its detention capacity to 100,000 beds.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration had already raised the daily arrest quota to 3,000 in May, starting the year with a goal of 1,800. However, both Homan and presidential advisor Stephen Miller have expressed dissatisfaction with the current pace. "It's time to act with the full force of the state," Miller recently stated.
According to government statistics, during Joe Biden's administration, 11.5 million people entered the country "illegally," marking the highest number in U.S. history. A significant portion of these individuals was released after brief detentions.
The fiscal legislation, signed by Trump on July 4th, dramatically reshapes the nation's immigration policy. Of the funds allocated: $45 billion will expand detention centers between 2025 and 2029; $29.85 billion will operationally strengthen ICE, including new hires, training, and tracking technology; $46.55 billion will finance the construction of new physical barriers along the Mexican border, technological surveillance, and bonuses for agents.
Human rights organizations have voiced their concerns about the repercussions of these measures. Among the reported risks are overcrowding, medical negligence, and a lack of transparency regarding the whereabouts of detainees.
With this legal and financial framework, Trump aims to establish a robust immigration system capable of operating at unprecedented detention levels. Critics argue that this initiative represents an ideological shift prioritizing exclusion and punishment over integration policies.
Understanding Trump's New Immigration Measures
What is the One Big Beautiful Bill?
The One Big Beautiful Bill is a sweeping 900-page law signed by President Trump, allocating $165 billion to enhance U.S. border security, including increased detention and deportation capacities.
How many daily arrests is ICE now expected to make?
ICE is now expected to conduct 7,000 arrests daily, a significant increase from the previous quota of 3,000.
What are the main concerns of human rights organizations regarding these measures?
Human rights organizations are concerned about issues such as overcrowding, medical negligence, and lack of transparency in detainee locations.