Politics

Trump Administration Confirms No Shift in Immigration Enforcement After Midterm Losses

By Today News Hours Editorial Desk

The White House has reaffirmed that it will not alter its mass deportation strategy following last week’s midterm elections. In a statement to the BBC, the administration said, “This administration will not slow down its efforts to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens who terrorise our communities.” The promotion of immigration hawk Stephen Miller to White House chief of staff on Friday signaled no retreat on border security. Exit polls show immigration was the third most important issue for voters, after the economy and democracy. In conservative states such as Texas, a swing of Latino voters toward Democrats helped the party secure a congressional majority. U.S. officials told CBS that the administration blamed its midterm losses on concerns about the economy, affordability and the war with Iran, rather than its immigration policy. The White House reiterated that there would be no change of direction, with spokeswoman Lauren Bis stating, “There has never been a President stronger on immigration enforcement than President Trump.” The Department of Homeland Security also confirmed it would continue to enforce laws and remove criminal illegal aliens. Vice‑President J.D. Vance had previously suggested a possible shift toward targeting businesses hiring illegal labor, but the White House’s stance has hardened after Miller’s promotion. ICE officials reported that recent directives aim for about 2,700 arrests of illegal immigrants per day, up from an earlier target of 2,000. Enforcement sweeps this year have sparked anti‑ICE protests in cities including Chicago, Minneapolis and Los Angeles, where two protesters were fatally shot by immigration agents.