Here's the lowdown: President Trump is ramping up immigration enforcement in 2026 with a major funding boost and tougher workplace raids 🚨
Under a spending bill passed in July, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol will get an extra $170 billion through 2029, compared to their usual combined annual budget of about $19 billion 💰
What's next? The plan aims to recruit thousands more agents, build new detention facilities, step up checks in local jails, and team up with private firms to track down people without legal status. Expect more raids at farms, factories and other workplaces.
But there's growing backlash: Trump's approval on immigration fell from 50% in March to 41% in mid-December. Critics warn that targeting migrant workers could spark protests and legal challenges — especially among socially conscious youth both in the U.S. and abroad.
On top of that, the administration has stripped temporary status from hundreds of thousands of Haitian, Venezuelan and Afghan immigrants, expanding the pool of people who could face deportation. So far, about 622,000 immigrants have been deported since Trump took office.
Higher labor costs might be an unexpected side effect. Firms replacing arrested workers could see wage bills rise, potentially clashing with efforts to fight inflation — a key concern for voters as they head into the 2026 midterm elections.
As ICE and Border Patrol gear up for more action, communities from Jakarta to Karachi are keeping a close eye on how these moves will affect migrant populations and global human rights debates. Stay tuned for the next updates ✌️
Reference(s):
Trump to expand immigration enforcement in 2026 amid growing backlash
cgtn.com
