TV host Dr. Phil McGraw joined U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Chicago on Sunday during a targeted deportation operation. McGraw, known for his mental health-focused show, defended the effort on X, stating ICE aimed to apprehend 270 “high-value targets.” He emphasized, “They’re not sweeping neighborhoods.”
The operation is part of a broader immigration crackdown initiated by President Donald Trump, who expanded enforcement by deputizing agents from agencies like ATF, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove observed the Chicago arrests, calling the crackdown a response to “failed immigration policy.”
One Chicago arrest involved an undocumented immigrant who had killed a woman while driving under the influence. ICE also conducted operations in Tucson, Arizona, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, arresting 956 individuals nationwide—three times the daily average for 2024.
ICE described the actions as “enhanced targeted operations” focused on public safety but did not disclose further details. Democratic Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth criticized the efforts, warning they could harm veterans, essential workers, and non-criminals.
“We should focus on deporting those who pose a danger,” they said, advocating for pathways to legal status for others.
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