Trump's crackdown on illegal immigrants begins, 538 arrested, hundreds deported

US President Donald Trump (Courtesy: Reuters photo)

Three days after Donald Trump was sworn in as the US president, the authorities arrested 538 illegal immigrants and deported hundreds in a mass operation.

"The Trump Administration arrested 538 illegal immigrant criminals," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a post on social platform X, adding "hundreds" were deported by military aircraft. "The largest massive deportation operation in history is well underway. Promises made. Promises kept," she said, referring to Trump's election promise to crack down on undocumented immigrants stated.

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Leavitt also claimed suspected terrorist, four members of the Tren de Aragua gang, a  Venezuela-based transnational criminal organisation, and several convicted of sex crimes against minors were among the arrested.

The White House also posted the details of the arrests on the X  platform, putting the number of arrests at 538 and 373 detainees. Rape and sexual abuse of children were among the crimes they allegedly committed.

"This is merely a small preview into the work the Trump administration is doing to secure our nation's borders," the post said.

Trump began his second term by signing a flurry of executive orders, including one for "Protecting the American people against invasion".

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The order says that over the past four years, the US saw an unprecedented flood of illegal immigration. "Millions of illegal aliens crossed our borders or were permitted to fly directly into the United States on commercial flights and allowed to settle in American communities, in violation of longstanding Federal laws," it said.

Many of these "aliens (living) unlawfully within the United States" present significant "threats to national security and public safety", committing vile and heinous acts against innocent Americans, it said.

He also signed orders declaring a "national emergency" along the southern border and announced the deployment of more troops in the area vowing to deport "criminal aliens".

(with agency inputs)