At Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C., we stay vigilant when it comes to political developments that impact the lives of immigrants across the United States. Recently, former acting ICE director Tom Homan—who is now advising Donald Trump—publicly shared plans for an aggressive arrest quota that would force ICE agents to detain at least 3,000 immigrants per day.
Yes, you read that right. This isn’t just rhetoric—it’s a glimpse into a possible future of expanded interior enforcement, where thousands of people per day are arrested and processed for deportation.
So, what exactly is behind this arrest goal? And how could it affect immigrants, even those with no criminal record?
The Numbers Behind the Policy
During a recent media appearance, Tom Homan stated:
“We’d have to arrest 7,000 a day every day for the remainder of this administration just to remove those the Biden administration released into the country illegally.”
He later suggested that the initial goal is to hit 3,000 arrests per day, targeting undocumented immigrants nationwide.
This marks a massive increase from current enforcement levels and would likely require ICE agents to conduct large-scale operations, workplace raids, and community sweeps—especially in cities with large immigrant populations.
While the plan claims to focus on “criminals,” history shows us that such operations often include collateral arrests, meaning individuals are detained simply for being present, even if they were not the original target.
Self-Deportation and Fear-Based Policies
Homan also claimed that over 1 million immigrants have “self-deported” since Trump took office—a figure that, if true, underscores the level of fear his policies have created.
At Landerholm Immigration, we’ve seen this fear up close: parents avoiding school pick-ups, people skipping court dates, workers quitting jobs, and families isolating themselves. When immigration enforcement ramps up, fear spreads, and communities suffer.
Interior Arrests Are Already Rising
According to Homan, ICE has made over 150,000 interior arrests, with most being labeled as “criminals.” But he didn’t provide clarity on what kinds of crimes these include. Often, these can be minor offenses, or past convictions that have already been resolved—yet they are used as justification for deportation.
And what about the other arrests? Homan has previously mentioned national security threats and people with prior deportation orders. That means even immigrants with no criminal history but with prior removal orders could be targeted under these quotas.
“We’re Done Playing Games”: Escalation in Enforcement
Perhaps most troubling were Homan’s statements threatening legal consequences for anyone who interferes with ICE operations:
“You impede an ICE officer, you’re going to jail. You throw a stone, you’re going to jail… We’re done playing games. We’re going to enforce the law… with no apologies.”
This rhetoric signals a more aggressive, unapologetic era of enforcement—and a shift toward treating immigration as a zero-tolerance criminal issue, rather than a humanitarian or civil matter.
What Immigrants Should Know Right Now
If this kind of policy is implemented, it will likely mean more ICE agents in our cities, more raids, and more pressure on immigrant communities. But it also means:
- If you have a deportation order, you are at heightened risk.
- If you are undocumented, you could be caught in a raid or sweep.
- If you’ve applied for relief but are still waiting, your case could still be affected by intensified enforcement.
What You Can Do Today
- Know Your Rights – Everyone has the right to remain silent and to speak with an attorney. You do not have to open the door to ICE without a judicial warrant.
- Stay Informed – Sign up for updates from trusted legal sources. Policies are shifting quickly.
- Talk to a Lawyer – If you have questions about your status, prior removal orders, or whether you qualify for relief, don’t wait. Legal help could protect you from deportation.
- Get a Safety Plan in Place – Have a plan for family, childcare, and documents in case of emergency.
Final Thoughts
At Landerholm Immigration, we’ve guided countless clients through hostile political climates before—and we’ll keep doing so. But we want to be clear: a quota of 3,000 arrests per day could change everything. It could bring ICE to your community, your workplace, or even your front door.
If you are undocumented or unsure about your immigration situation, now is the time to act. Don’t let fear control your future. Talk to a legal advocate who will fight for you.