With Donald Trump now in office, authorities have begun intensifying efforts to address illegal immigration, targeting those who have undertaken dangerous journeys in pursuit of the American dream. In a large-scale operation launched just three days after the new administration assumed power, hundreds of undocumented migrants were arrested and deported.

Providing details on the operation, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that U.S. authorities had detained 538 illegal migrants and deported hundreds via military aircraft.

"The Trump Administration arrested 538 illegal immigrant criminals including a suspected terrorist, four members of the Tren de Aragua gang, and several illegals convicted of sex crimes against minors," Ms Leavitt said in an online post on Thursday. "Trump Administration also deported hundreds of illegal immigrant criminals via military aircraft. The largest massive deportation operation in history is well underway. Promises made. Promises kept," she said.

The White House provided a "small preview" of the actions the Trump administration is undertaking to "secure our nation's borders." It shared a list of individuals arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) along with the crimes they were accused of, which included offences such as rape, sexual conduct involving a child and ongoing sexual abuse of a child aged 14 or younger.

After the inaugural ceremony on January 20, President Donald Trump signed multiple executive orders, including one titled "Protecting the American people against invasion." This order highlighted an "unprecedented flood of illegal immigration" over the past four years, stating that "millions of illegal aliens crossed our borders or were permitted to fly directly into the United States on commercial flights and allowed to settle in American communities, in violation of longstanding Federal laws."

The government order also emphasises that numerous "aliens unlawfully within the United States" pose serious "threats to national security and public safety," engaging in vile and horrific crimes against innocent Americans.

On January 23, the U.S. Congress approved a GOP-led bill called the Laken Riley Act. This legislation focuses on the detention and deportation of undocumented migrants who enter the country without authorisation and are charged with specific crimes.