As 2026 approaches, President Donald Trump is planning to take immigration enforcement to the next level. Thanks to a $170 billion funding boost for ICE and the U.S. Border Patrol, he aims to send thousands more agents into neighborhoods and even raid more workplaces.
In mid-2025, agents swept through major cities; by July, Congress approved record funding running through September 2029. Officials say the extra cash will help hire staff, build detention centers, and partner with private firms to identify undocumented people.
This move comes even as Trump’s approval on immigration has slipped from 50% in March this year to 41% in mid-December 🚨. With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, critics warn the crackdown could backfire at the ballot box.
Trump has also ended temporary legal status for hundreds of thousands from Haiti, Venezuela, and Afghanistan, expanding the pool of people who could be deported. He has promised 1 million deportations each year, though so far about 622,000 have been removed since January 2025.
Legal immigrants haven’t been spared: arrests at green card interviews, pulls from naturalization ceremonies, and thousands of student visas revoked have raised alarms among communities and investors.
Next year, workplace raids could surge. Some analysts say replacing arrested workers might raise labor costs, adding pressure on inflation — a hot topic ahead of the vote 🔥📊.
With political pressure mounting and a heated election ahead, the debate over enforcement vs. economic impact is just heating up. Are you ready for the fallout?
Reference(s):
Trump to expand immigration enforcement in 2026 amid growing backlash
cgtn.com
