The Trump administration is adjusting its apprehension methods due to declining public approval of its immigration policies.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to shift from widely publicized large-scale raids in multiple cities, according to The Hill.
According to DHS sources cited by NewsNation, Border Patrol teams led by Commander Gregory Bovino will now prioritize specific targets, particularly undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes.
This change represents a significant shift in the agency’s operational approach. Agents will no longer routinely conduct large-scale raids at locations such as Home Depot, as reported in Bradley’s exclusive coverage on Friday.
Agents will also emphasize enforcement through traffic stops, according to NewsNation. However, Bradley clarified on Friday evening’s “The Hill” program with Blake Burman that public street apprehensions by Border Patrol agents are unlikely.
A Response to Negative Polling
This tactical shift occurs amid unfavorable polling on President Trump’s immigration enforcement policy, which remains a central component of his 2024 campaign platform and prospective second-term agenda.
A recent survey by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) indicated that public approval of Trump’s immigration policy declined from 42% to 33% since March of the previous year.
In November, a YouGov poll demonstrated that a majority of Americans disapproved of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations associated with the administration’s mass deportation initiatives.
Last month, approximately half of immigrants surveyed by the health policy research group KFF and the New York Times reported that they and their families “felt less safe” with the prospect of Trump’s return to the White House.
Border Patrol immigration enforcement operations have been prominent in several states this year, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Many of these raids have prompted protests and, in some instances, confrontations with agents. Critics have argued that these operations are excessively aggressive.
Despite this tactical shift, Bradley reported on Friday that the recently launched operation in New Orleans, known as “Catahoula Crunch,” will proceed. Over 250 arrests have already occurred in the city, and DHS has stated that its goal is to reach 5,000 arrests, according to Bradley.
A Calculated Adjustment
This strategic adjustment appears to be an effort by the administration to maintain its hardline immigration policy while reducing negative public perception. By focusing on individuals convicted of serious crimes rather than conducting highly visible raids in public venues such as hardware stores, DHS aims to minimize the controversial images that have generated criticism.
The revised approach, which emphasizes traffic stops and targeted operations, may enable the administration to sustain a high arrest rate while reducing public visibility of enforcement activities. This reduction in visibility could mitigate negative media coverage and adverse community reactions.
This development highlights the political challenge confronting the Trump administration: fulfilling its campaign promise of strict immigration enforcement while addressing the political repercussions of enforcement methods increasingly viewed as overly aggressive by segments of the American electorate.
The effectiveness of this new approach will depend on DHS’s capacity to sustain operational efficiency while enhancing public perception, a balance that is particularly challenging in the current polarized political climate surrounding immigration.
