Internet baffled by Dr Phil accompanying ICE to round up illegal immigrants in Chicago

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: Phil McGraw, better known by his on-screen name 'Dr Phil', was embedded with a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) team carrying out deportation operations in Chicago on Sunday, January 26, reported Fox News.

The team was led by Border Czar Tom Homan, who had previously declared the city to be "ground zero" for the enforcement of President Donald Trump's mass deportation plans.

According to the Daily Mail, ICE made 956 arrests on Sunday, the most in a single day since Trump took charge of the White House for his second term.

Sanctuary cities such as Chicago have been criticized by the POTUS for resisting federal immigration policies.

However, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has been steadfast in his commitment to protect migrants, and directed city departments to "stand firm and uphold the local ordinance" in compliance with the Illinois Trust Act, which prohibits local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Dr Phil's on-ground experience of deportation operations in Chicago

A number of arrests were filmed by Phil on Sunday as part of his television show, and some of the clips was shared by the 74-year-old on the social media platform X.

In one such clip, Phil appeared to be taken aback after a man who ICE claims to be convicted of crimes against children calmly told him that he was "not really" a sex offender while he was being taken into custody.

Identified as Sam Seda from Thailand, he was asked by Phil if he had been previously deported, to which he replied negative. He shared that while he was not an American citizen, his mother was. However, Homan insisted that the person was one of many "illegal criminals" who have been roaming the streets of sanctuary cities.

Phil later revealed the nature of the "high-risk mission" of ICE on his show, claiming to have been briefed on the security protocols.

"This truly is a targeted ICE mission because they're not sweeping neighborhoods like people are trying to imply," he stated. "I know that because I've been involved heading into this. They've identified 270 high-value targets, and what I mean by that is that these are known criminals and terrorists."

Internet is surprised to find Dr Phil embedded in ICE operations

Netizens on X were shocked to see television personality Phil being involved in the deportation operation of ICE. The following tweets demonstrate their takes.

"WHY WAS DR. PHIL OUT IN CHICAGO (of course) WORKING WITH ICE FILMING DEPORTATIONS AND QUESTIONING DETAINEES?" asked one with a gif.

"It’s no surprise @DrPhil is going on the hunt with ICE. He’s built a career profiting off of human tragedy. He cannot live without it," jibed another.

"Imagine getting swooped up by ICE which is bad enough and then Bam, you start getting interviewed live on TV by Dr. Phil. Your day can’t get any worse," mocked a third.

"I didn’t have Dr Phil doing ICE raids on my 2025 Bingo card," stated a fourth.

"Why the hell they have Dr Phil out here with ICE deporting people," echoed a fifth with another gif.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.