Operation At Large ICE Targeting Urban Immigrants: What Is It Under Trump’s Second Term?

Short Answer:

Operation At Large is a large-scale immigration enforcement initiative under President Trump’s second term, targeting undocumented immigrants in U.S. cities through expanded ICE raids, arrests, and deportations. The operation is part of Trump’s crackdown on immigration, often referred to as “Trump’s crackdown,” which has led to increased enforcement actions and workplace raids across the country. Federal agents, working alongside ICE, are conducting these operations. The operation builds on earlier plans such as “Operation Safeguard” and is designed to carry out mass detentions, particularly in urban areas.

What Is Operation At Large?

Operation At Large is the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement campaign launched in 2025. The operation is a product of the Trump administration’s approach to immigration policy, reflecting a significant shift in enforcement priorities. It involves thousands of ICE agents, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) personnel, law enforcement officers working in coordination with ICE and federal agents, DOJ personnel, and possibly National Guard troops conducting targeted sweeps in urban centers. The operation is designed to enforce federal immigration laws and is rooted in the broader framework of U.S. immigration laws.

• The plan focuses on detaining undocumented immigrants in cities and aims to enforce federal immigration laws in urban areas.
• It’s reported to involve more agents and broader coverage than past operations.
• It revives and expands earlier initiatives like “Operation Safeguard.”

Operation At Large is part of a second-term strategy to execute what officials have described as the most extensive mass deportation effort in U.S. history. The campaign places a heavy focus on Democratic-run cities with large immigrant populations.

Who Is Most Affected?

This operation predominantly targets:

• Individuals in the country illegally, including undocumented migrants and those referred to as ‘illegal aliens’ in enforcement language, in cities—even those without criminal records. Many of these individuals are not considered criminals under the law, despite being targeted by enforcement actions.
• DACA and TPS recipients, who although have limited protection, are not fully exempt.
• Green card holders, if they are accused of crimes or violations.
• Mixed-status families, where citizens live with non-citizen relatives.

Many of those affected are workers in key industries such as construction and agriculture. Each worker detained or deported represents a significant loss to their family and community.

Important Reminders:

• DACA protections remain valid until expiration (DACA Overview).
• TPS recipients cannot be detained based solely on their status (TPS Policy).
• USCIS continues to process renewals.

Examples of Enforcement:

• Urban immigration raids targeting homes, workplaces, and public spaces, often conducted by immigration agents or immigration authorities as part of broader enforcement action.
• Collateral arrests of individuals not named in warrants during these enforcement actions.
• Arrests at grocery stores, bus stops, and residential areas carried out by immigration agents during immigration raids.

What Happens After an ICE Arrest?

1. Initial Detention

• Federal authorities, including customs enforcement agents, may arrest and detain individuals during street operations, home raids, or workplace raids. During workplace raids, employees may be arrested, detained, or questioned as part of the process.
• Detainees are sent to immigration detention facilities.

1. Removal Proceedings

• Most face a judge in immigration court.
• Legal relief options include asylum, adjustment of status, or cancellation of removal.

1. Expedited Removal

• Some may be deported without a hearing if deemed ineligible for relief.

1. Bond Hearings

• You may request a bond hearing to be released while your case proceeds.

1. Voluntary Departure vs. Deportation

• Voluntary departure avoids a formal removal order.
• Deportation often involves chartered government flights.

How to Prepare Legally in Urban Communities

Legal Rights to Know:

• You have the right to remain silent.
• You are not obligated to let ICE in without a valid judicial warrant.
• Do not sign documents without legal counsel.

Family Emergency Plan:

• Store passports, IDs, birth certificates in a safe place.
• Share attorney contact information with trusted friends.
• Prepare care plans for children in case of detention.

Rapid Response Teams and Community Resources:

• Know your local rapid-response hotline.
• Participate in local “Know Your Rights” training.
• Join online tools like the ICEwatch map.
• Be aware that community organizations may hold news conferences or organize protests in response to enforcement actions.

Toolkit Resources:

• ACLU Know Your Rights
• ILRC Family Preparedness Plan
• Immigrant Defense Project Toolkit

Legal Options If You Are Detained

• Asylum: Based on fear of persecution in your home country.
• Cancellation of Removal: Available for long-term residents under certain criteria.
• Adjustment of Status: If you qualify through a relative or employer.
• VAWA / U Visa / T Visa: For victims of abuse, trafficking, or crime.

Working with a legal professional is essential to identify and file for relief in a timely manner.

What Operation At Large Will Cost U.S. Taxpayers

While defending national security, large-scale immigration operations like Operation At Large—a major bust in immigration enforcement—carry high price tags. These operations are funded by the federal government, and the costs impact the entire nation, not just specific cities or states. The financial and social impact of these operations is often most acutely felt at the city level, where local services and communities are directly affected. Let’s break down where that money goes—so you can see what’s at stake.

1. Arrest, Detention & Removal Costs

Estimates suggest the average cost to arrest, detain, and remove one undocumented person is approximately $17,121—a figure that includes arrest processing, detention center expenses, legal proceedings, and deportation flightsdhs.govnypost.com.

• If ICE arrests 10,000 employees under this operation, taxpayers would spend $171 million just for that round.

• For 50,000 arrests, the cost balloons to $856 million.

2. Detention Center & Daily Rates

ICE detains individuals at private or government-run facilities. At least half, and in some cases more than half, of those detained are hardworking people who contribute significantly to the economy. Here’s what that might cost:

• Single adults in ICE custody: about $236.52/day, with average stays near 55 days = approx $13,008/person.
• Children with families: about $481.79/day, with average stays near 23.5 days = approx $11,323/person

Large operations spike aggregate costs quickly:

• Detaining 10,000 adults = $130 million, plus
• Detaining 10,000 children/families = $113 million, totaling $243 million in detention costs alone.

3. Judicial & Legal Processing

Deportation requires legal hearings. Scaling up would require hiring:

• Nearly 2,000 new immigration judges
• Over 1,100 new courtrooms
• More DHS attorneys and clerks

Altogether, increasing capacity to process 1 million cases/year adds an estimated $12.6 billion annually—and that’s just for the courts, not enforcement or detention.

4. Deportation Flights & Transportation

Once deported, individuals are sent back by plane. The average deportation flight costs $17,000 per hour, with an average of $14,000 per person removed in 2024, rising from $10,070 in 2015. DHS has stated that transport, processing, and flights amount to $7 billion/year for 1 million removals.

• A single deportation flight might cost $250,000, depending on distance and charter type.
• Using military aircraft is even more expensive—military flights to India cost around $3 million, or $20,000 per person.

5. Infrastructure & Private Detention Contracts

To scale operations, ICE uses private companies and no-bid contracts:

• Reopening facilities through groups like CoreCivic and GEO incurs hundreds of millions in revenue to private operatorsapnews.com.
• Example: the South Texas Family Residential Center cost $19 million/month, or $296/person/dayen.wikipedia.org.
• Proposal for “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center also reflects high infrastructure requirements; ICE reported being $1 billion over budget from existing capacity limitationsnypost.com.

Total Taxpayer Burden

Putting it all together, carrying out a nationwide ICE enforcement operation could cost tens of billions annually:

Annual totals easily surpass $40 billion—and likely incline higher factoring in legal challenges, infrastructure, and ancillary support. Scaling further (e.g., 3,000 arrests per day) could push costs toward seven figures per deportee and hundreds of billions overall.

Why Costs Matter

• Tax dollars diverted: Spending here draws from budgets that could support schools, roads, and healthcare.
• Economic impact: Removing large numbers of workers disrupts industries such as agriculture, construction sites, and food production, with enforcement actions targeting these sectors in states like Florida, Washington, and other states. Major cities—including Los Angeles, Washington, and those in Florida—have seen significant workplace raids, often involving state law enforcement in coordination with federal agencies. Los Angeles County, in particular, has become a focal point for enforcement and economic disruption, especially in agriculture and construction. The United Farm Workers have responded by advocating for farmworkers affected by these operations. California alone could lose $275 billion in economic activity from mass deportations. While these operations are often justified as focusing on individuals involved in violent crimes, in practice, many of those detained have no history of such offenses.
• Policy trade-offs: Critics argue these resources could be better invested in sustainable immigration solutions.

How Herman Legal Group Can Help

• Risk Assessments: We evaluate your immigration status and legal options.
• Emergency Legal Help: 24/7 support for detention cases.
• Bond Representation: We request bond hearings and advocate for your release.
• Deportation Defense: Full representation in immigration court.
• TPS and DACA Renewals: Fast-tracked filings to protect your work permit.
• Family-Based Petitions: Adjustment of status and consular processing.
• Community Advocacy: Know Your Rights workshops and local support networks.

Contact us today: Schedule a Consultation

What support is available?
Herman Legal Group offers full legal services and works with local community organizations to help protect your rights.

Conclusion

Operation At Large is not just a legal and humanitarian issue—but a significant financial undertaking. Choosing this path means dedicating tens of billions of taxpayer dollars annually to enforcement, courts, detention, and deportations, with ripple effects on public services, economic productivity, and communities.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation with Attorney Richard Herman Today

If you or a loved one is worried about being targeted by ICE under Operation At Large—whether you’re undocumented, have a past removal order, or are applying for immigration relief—now is the time to act.

Richard Herman, founder of the Herman Legal Group, has spent over 25 years fighting for immigrants’ rights across the United States. He understands the fear, confusion, and urgency that families face during immigration crackdowns. Whether you’re seeking to reopen a case, apply for legal status, or simply understand your rights, you don’t have to face ICE alone.

We offer confidential, compassionate, and strategic legal counsel to protect you and your family.

✅ Get clear answers about your legal options
✅ Develop a personalized plan to avoid arrest or deportation
✅ File urgent motions to stop removal or request a stay
✅ Fight back with experience on your side

Your freedom and future may depend on the steps you take right now. Let us help you fight back.

Book your private consultation today:
👉 www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/book-consultation

Don’t wait for ICE to come to your door. Get legal protection now.

🔹 Official Government Resources

• ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)
  Official page outlining ICE’s mission, priorities, and operational divisions.
• ICE Detention Reporting and Information Line (DRIL)
  Use this to inquire about a detained loved one or report civil rights violations.
• USCIS – Immigration Options & Case Status
  Check the status of immigration applications or learn more about legal pathways.
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – Policies and Statements
  Updates on DHS-wide immigration enforcement policies and strategy.
• Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)
  Check court case status, hearing locations, and access immigration judge decisions.

🔹 Know Your Rights & Legal Guides

• ACLU “Know Your Rights” During ICE Raids
  Comprehensive guide to rights when ICE shows up at home, work, or public spaces.
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) – ICE Raid Preparedness Toolkit
  Printable guides, community prep templates, and multilingual resources.
• National Immigration Law Center (NILC) – Protecting Immigrant Families
  Information on immigration enforcement, raids, and how to respond legally.
• National Immigration Project (NIPNLG) – Raids and Enforcement Resources
  Legal memos and sample motions for attorneys and advocates fighting ICE enforcement.

🔹 Locate or Contact an Attorney

• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Lawyer Search
  Find a qualified immigration attorney by zip code or language preference.
• Immigration Advocates Network – National Immigration Legal Services Directory
  Find low-cost or nonprofit immigration legal services near you.
• Herman Legal Group – Schedule a Consultation
  Connect with immigration attorney Richard Herman for defense, waivers, or family-based protection.

🔹 Community Defense & Hotline Services

• United We Dream – MigraWatch ICE Raid Hotline: 1-844-363-1423
  Report ICE activity and get live multilingual support.
• National Immigration Detention Hotline by Freedom for Immigrants: 9233 (from detention)
  Confidential hotline for individuals in detention or their families.
• Raices – ICE Raid Support & Legal Services
  Emergency legal help and community reporting for ICE activity in Texas and beyond.
• Informed Immigrant – National Resource Hub
  Trusted platform with guides for undocumented individuals and families facing enforcement.

🔹 Policy Monitoring & Advocacy

• TRAC Immigration – ICE Detention and Arrest Data
  Real-time analytics on detention centers, case outcomes, and ICE operations.
• Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) – ICEwatch
  Map and database of ICE raids, tactics, and locations across the U.S.
• Center for Constitutional Rights – Immigration Enforcement Actions
  Legal advocacy, litigation, and strategic responses to abusive enforcement actions.