The White House on Monday announced a major crackdown on “sanctuary cities” that refuse to cooperate with Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration agenda, as the president approaches his first 100 days in office.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the administration would begin publicly naming and shaming cities that block federal efforts to protect “American communities from criminal aliens.” Trump is expected to sign an executive order later Monday directing officials to publish a list of “jurisdictions that obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws,” she told reporters.
The move comes as Trump touts major progress on his campaign promise to curb illegal immigration from Mexico — a key pledge that helped him win the presidency after illegal border crossings surged to historic highs under his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden.
However, despite early victories, Trump’s popularity has taken a significant hit. A recent Washington Post-ABC poll shows more than 40 percent of Americans now “strongly disapprove” of his performance. In response, Trump on Monday suggested that pollsters and media outlets should be sued for fraud over what he called “fake news.”
Throughout the week, Trump will highlight his achievements across the economy, foreign policy, government efficiency, and immigration as part of a broader campaign marking his first 100 days.
Leavitt pointed to a dramatic 95 percent drop in migrant encounters at the southern border — falling from 140,000 in March 2024 under Biden to just 7,000 in March 2025.
“America’s borders are now secure because of President Trump,” she said. “He has restored the rule of law, enforced our immigration policies, and defended American sovereignty.”
Trump’s tough rhetoric about an “invasion” of criminal migrants — including claims about rapists and murderers — resonated with many voters concerned about immigration.
Targeting Sanctuary Cities
As part of fulfilling his campaign promises, Trump and Republican lawmakers have intensified their focus on “sanctuary cities” — jurisdictions that typically restrict local authorities from sharing information about undocumented immigrants with federal agents.
In March, Democratic mayors from Boston, Chicago, Denver, and New York were sharply criticized during congressional hearings for what Republicans called “pro-criminal” immigration policies. All four cities are grappling with a surge in migrants crossing the southern border.
Trump has also taken broader actions on immigration, including deploying troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, slapping tariffs on Mexico and Canada for allegedly failing to curb illegal crossings, and designating violent gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as terrorist organizations.
Yet his approach has sparked legal battles with judges, rights groups, and Democrats, who argue that Trump’s methods have sometimes violated constitutional rights, particularly through rushed deportations that bypass court hearings.
Under Trump’s use of the wartime-era Alien Enemies Act, migrants accused of gang affiliation have been deported to El Salvador without formal charges or judicial hearings.
Trump has even floated the controversial idea of sending American citizens convicted of violent crimes to CECOT — the infamous mega-prison outside San Salvador.
Questions Over Deportation Numbers
Tom Homon, Trump’s top border security advisor, declared Monday that “we have the most secure border in the history of this nation.” However, he faced tough questions about deportation statistics, which appear to be lagging behind those under Biden — despite Trump’s pledge to launch the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history.
Although the administration has not released complete data, the Migration Policy Institute estimates about 500,000 people will be deported this year — fewer than the 685,000 deported in 2024 under Biden.
Homon defended the numbers, arguing that Biden’s deportations mostly involved people removed after crossing the border, while Trump’s policies have deterred many migrants before they enter.
(With AFP)