Federal immigration enforcement operations are ramping up across the United States, targeting three cities per week for large-scale arrests. This week, Chicago and New York City have been in the spotlight, with Aurora, Colorado, next in line for the operation. The sources familiar with the planning revealed these details to NBC News, shedding light on the government’s intensified approach to cracking down on immigration violations.

Aurora, located just outside of Denver, has been at the center of attention, especially during President Donald Trump’s campaign, where he made controversial remarks about the city being “infected by Venezuela.” Despite these claims, local officials, including Police Chief Todd Chamberlain, have emphasized that Aurora remains a safe community, countering the negative narrative surrounding the city.

Behind the scenes, ICE field offices nationwide have received directives to escalate their routine operations and increase migrant arrests. This initiative involves collaboration with various federal law enforcement agencies, indicating a united effort to boost arrest numbers. The involvement of agents from other agencies and the implementation of an “all hands on deck” approach illustrate the government’s commitment to executing Trump’s promise of mass deportation operations.

Sunday saw acting ICE Director Caleb Vitello instructing field office leaders to aim for a daily arrest quota of 1,200 to 1,500 individuals. While some view this number as a motivational goal, others perceive it as a strict mandate, with potential penalties for agents failing to meet the target. Reports initially surfaced in The Washington Post about ICE’s directive to arrest a specific number of migrants daily, sparking debates about the implications of such quotas on enforcement practices.

As a consequence of this directive, agents are detaining more migrants with no criminal records, deeming them as “collateral arrests.” A senior Trump administration official disclosed to NBC News that nearly half of the 1,200 individuals arrested on Sunday did not have criminal backgrounds, highlighting the broader scope of these enforcement actions beyond targeting known offenders.

Moving forward, the enforcement landscape remains dynamic, with federal agencies coordinating efforts to uphold immigration laws and address the influx of migrants across the country. The evolving nature of these operations underscores the complexities surrounding immigration enforcement, raising questions about the balance between security concerns and humanitarian considerations.

In the midst of these developments, immigrant communities, advocacy groups, and legal experts are closely monitoring the situation, expressing concerns about the potential impact on vulnerable populations. The heightened focus on immigration enforcement has sparked debates about the underlying motivations behind these operations and their implications for broader immigration policies.

Ultimately, the ongoing immigration enforcement operations reflect the broader challenges facing the nation in managing its borders and addressing the complexities of migration. As the government continues to navigate these issues, the human stories behind each arrest and deportation underscore the personal stakes involved, reminding us of the individuals and families affected by these policies.