President Donald Trump has authorized immigration raids on sensitive locations, including schools, churches, and hospitals, as part of a sweeping crackdown on undocumented immigrants in the United States.
The directive, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday, ends over a decade of restrictions that designated these locations as off-limits for enforcement actions. The policy shift has sparked widespread concern in Nigeria and other countries, with critics warning of its potential humanitarian and social repercussions.
In a statement, DHS emphasized the need to eliminate spaces where individuals could evade arrest. Acting DHS Secretary Benjamin Huffman reinstated expedited removal procedures, enabling Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to rapidly deport undocumented immigrants unable to prove continuous residence in the U.S. for more than two years.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” a spokesperson stated, adding that the administration trusts law enforcement officers to exercise “common sense” in their operations.
This policy change aligns with a broader immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, which has issued nearly 100 executive orders on immigration-related matters. The president recently signed measures to suspend the refugee system, block access to an app used to facilitate entry into the U.S., and enhance collaboration between ICE and local authorities.
ICE’s Acting Director Tom Homan confirmed that nationwide operations to identify, arrest, and deport undocumented individuals are underway.
Advocacy groups and religious leaders have condemned the move. The Center for Law and Social Policy cautioned that the new measures might deter families from accessing essential services, including medical care and education. Religious leaders also urged compassion, with the Episcopal bishop of Washington calling on the administration to consider the human cost of such policies during a recent prayer service.
Critics argue that the changes could exacerbate fears among immigrant communities and lead to traumatic experiences for children in mixed-status families. Despite the backlash, the Trump administration maintains that the policy is necessary to bolster national security and uphold immigration laws.
