DHS shifts focus to serious offenders as public support for ICE raids wanes: Report
WASHINGTON, DC: The Department of Homeland Security is changing its strategy regarding capturing undocumented immigrants in America, as reported by News Nation on Friday, December 12.
The outlet reported that a DHS source revealed that Commander Gregory Bovino is set to narrow his focus on specific targets as opposed to conducting large-scale raids.
DHS to shift strategy as Trump approval falls
News Nation border correspondent Ali Bradley conveyed that people would no longer be seeing ICE agents “grabbing people” off the streets as they did during the Home Depot sweep.
A DHS source told Bradley that US Border Patrol teams under Bovino would now focus on immigrants in America who had been convicted of serious crimes.
A recent survey by the Public Religion Research Institute, released earlier this week, shows declining public approval of the Trump administration’s handling of immigration. In March 2025, the approval rate stood at 42% and has since dropped to 33%.
Melissa Deckman, the CEO of PRRI, said that the data revealed “strong majorities” of American citizens opposed Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
"Notably, political independents have registered the largest decline in support for the president’s handling of immigration since the beginning of the second Trump administration," Deckman said.
On Tuesday, when the PRRI survey was published, Diana M Orces, the Director of Research at PRRI, said that according to the establishment’s analysis, Americans’ perspective of the immigration policies was “influenced” by their “larger political worldview.”
She added that "most Americans rejected" Donald Trump’s “harsh immigration enforcement policies” and supported a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
As per the survey, 60% Americans thought immigrants should be given a legal way to become citizens as long as they meet certain requirements.
DHS arrests over 10,000 undocumented immigrants in LA
Earlier this week, the DHS said in a press release that over 10,000 illegal immigrants had been arrested in the California city since June.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that some of those arrested included murderers, kidnappers, pr***tors, and armed carjackers. She criticized Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass, stating that they failed the people of California by letting “these criminals roam free.”
“Thanks to our brave law enforcement, California is safer with these thugs off their streets,” she said.
