The White House kicked off its celebration of President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office on Monday by spotlighting one of its hallmark achievements: a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration.
At an early morning press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared alongside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) chief Tom Homan to highlight the administration’s aggressive measures, including record-low border crossings, major deportation initiatives, and a raft of new executive orders aimed at strengthening border enforcement.
“We are carrying out the largest deportation campaign in American history,” Leavitt declared. “After four years of being vilified by the Biden-Harris administration, our heroic ICE officers can finally do their jobs without political interference.”
Homan, an immigration enforcement veteran with more than four decades of experience, accused the previous administration of deliberately dismantling border security protections.
“I started on the Border Patrol in 1984. I’ve worked for six presidents, starting with Ronald Reagan. Every one of them — even Presidents Obama and Clinton — understood you can’t have national security without border security,” Homan said. “Joe Biden is the first president in American history who deliberately unsecured the border.”
The Results So Far:
Homan and Leavitt touted what they described as historic successes just months into Trump’s second term:
Illegal border crossings have dropped by 96% compared to 2024 levels.
Operation Tidal Wave, a massive deportation initiative, has already seen over 100,000 illegal immigrants deported.
The number of fentanyl seizures, human trafficking incidents, and terrorist suspect crossings have “plummeted,” Homan said.
“When 96% fewer people are coming across, think about how many women aren’t being assaulted by cartels, how many children aren’t dying making that dangerous journey,” Homan emphasized. “This is about saving lives as much as securing a nation.”
Aggressive Tactics and New Legal Tools:
The administration is also using old legal tools in new ways. Recently, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act — a 1798 wartime law — to justify the deportation of Venezuelan gang members, including 17 alleged members of Tren de Aragua, to an El Salvador “mega-prison” via Guantánamo Bay.
Although the move faces legal challenges, officials insist it is part of a broader strategy to reassert American sovereignty and prioritize citizen safety.
Operation Tidal Wave, they said, is only the beginning.
“This is a sign of things to come,” Leavitt warned. “We will continue restoring law and order in this country.”
Political Support and Upcoming Events:
Polls show that Trump’s immigration policies remain broadly popular, especially among independents and suburban voters, who overwhelmingly cite border security as a top issue.
Monday’s briefing marked the first of a weeklong series celebrating Trump’s 100-day milestones. Leavitt announced that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will appear at Tuesday’s briefing to discuss the administration’s economic record.
A New Chapter in Immigration Enforcement:
The administration’s messaging is clear: Trump’s second term will be defined by an aggressive, unapologetic return to hardline immigration enforcement — a sharp contrast to the policies of the Biden era.
As Homan concluded:
“We’ve made incredible strides in 100 days — but this is only the beginning. America’s borders will be secured. Full stop.”