As the world watches football, Trump quietly conducts history's largest migrant hunt

While the world's attention is focused on the World Cup, the Trump administration is quietly executing one of the most extensive crackdowns on undocumented immigrants in recent U.S. history. American immigration services arrested nearly 10,000 individuals in just five days at the end of June, averaging approximately 2,000 arrests per day.

This intensified pace marks a significant escalation in the administration's strategy against illegal immigration. Unlike the more visible, large-scale raids that previously attracted public attention, the current approach involves numerous smaller operations across the United States. This shift has made the campaign less noticeable in the media but has had a profound impact on the daily lives of millions of migrants living in uncertainty.

The Department of Homeland Security claims the primary targets are individuals posing security threats or with criminal records. However, numerous accounts suggest that people attending scheduled immigration appointments, going to work, taking children to school, or participating in religious services have also been among those arrested. These actions have heightened fear within migrant communities.

The White House has reportedly set an ambitious daily arrest target of around 2,000. Many immigration service employees are reportedly working seven days a week, with a significant portion of operational capacity dedicated solely to locating, detaining, and deporting individuals without legal status. This escalation is not unexpected, as Trump had identified illegal immigration as a central theme of his second presidential term during his campaign.

For Trump's supporters, these measures are seen as fulfilling campaign promises and restoring faith in the legal system, embodying his "America First" policy of regaining border control. Conversely, opponents warn that security arguments are increasingly being used to justify actions that impact individuals who pose no threat, raising concerns about the broader implications for civil liberties and human rights.