Trump orders raids on schools, churches, hospitals to enforce immigration arrests

President Donald Trump has authorised US immigration authorities to conduct arrests at schools, churches, and hospitals, reversing a long-standing policy that classified these locations as off-limits for enforcement.

This new directive ends more than a decade of restrictions that protected these “sensitive areas.” The change was announced in a statement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Protection.

The DHS emphasised the need to eliminate spaces where individuals could evade arrest. “Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” the statement read.

“The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement and instead trusts them to use common sense,” according to The Guardian.

Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued the directive, which also reinstates the nationwide use of expedited removal. Under the policy, ICE is empowered to quickly deport undocumented individuals who cannot prove continuous residency in the U.S. for over two years.

These changes are part of a broader crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration. This week, the president signed several executive orders, including measures to suspend the refugee system, block an app facilitating U.S. entry, and enhance cooperation between ICE and local governments.

Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, confirmed that ICE agents would begin immediate nationwide operations to arrest and deport undocumented individuals. “ICE officers across the country will be actively enforcing immigration laws,” Homan said in an interview.

However, the new policies have sparked widespread opposition from advocacy groups and religious leaders.

The Center for Law and Social Policy warned that the measures could have devastating impacts on immigrant families, particularly those with U.S.-citizen children.

The organisation expressed concern that fear of arrest might deter families from seeking medical care, disaster relief, and education, while also increasing the likelihood of children witnessing traumatic encounters with immigration officials.