The Trump administration is unlikely to reduce its aggressive immigration enforcement operations following the midterm elections, according to multiple U.S. officials who spoke with CBS News. The sources cited the recent elevation of Stephen Miller to White House chief of staff as a primary indicator that the administration intends to maintain its current pace of arrests and deportations.
Republicans suffered significant losses in the recent midterm elections, including in traditionally conservative states such as Texas. Exit polls indicated that immigration was a top concern for voters, particularly among Texas Latinos who shifted toward Democratic candidates. Nationally, 58% of voters surveyed stated that the administration's deportation crackdown had gone too far.
What the Right Is Saying
The Trump administration maintains that its enforcement strategy remains robust and necessary. White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis stated, "This administration will not slow down its efforts to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens who terrorize our communities. There has never been a President stronger on immigration enforcement than President Trump." Bis cited the administration's efforts to bolster border security, noting that illegal crossings have dropped to historically low levels compared to the peak numbers seen during the previous administration.
Administration officials argue that the recent electoral losses were driven primarily by economic concerns, affordability issues, and the conflict with Iran, rather than immigration policy. One U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, responded to questions about a potential pullback by saying, "I would count on the opposite" of a slowdown, citing Miller's appointment. Supporters of the policy view Miller as the chief architect of a successful hardline approach that has closed the asylum system and tightened legal immigration benefits.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic lawmakers and immigration advocates view the election results as a clear mandate to curb enforcement activities. In January, Democrats will assume control of both chambers of Congress, granting them new powers to investigate the administration's immigration policies. Theresa Cardinal Brown, a former immigration official at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during the Obama and Bush administrations, stated that congressional Democrats are expected to issue subpoenas, hold oversight hearings, and pass measures to limit immigration enforcement funds.
Local leaders in newly elected Democratic jurisdictions are also signaling a shift. Following the election, the mayor of Houston announced he would direct local police to limit their cooperation with ICE. Cardinal Brown noted that states and communities with new Democratic leadership may scrap or limit policies that previously required local law enforcement to work with federal immigration agents. Critics point to recent incidents, such as the killing of two American citizens during a crackdown in Minneapolis, as evidence that the current approach has triggered widespread community backlash.
What the Numbers Show
Data provided to CBS News indicates that ICE officials have been instructed to target approximately 19,000 arrests per week, or about 2,700 per day. This represents an increase from a previous target of 2,000 daily arrests. According to agency sources, this higher target was established before the midterm elections and has not been revised downward since. The administration has also secured significant financial resources for enforcement, with ICE receiving $75 billion in funds through 2029 via the "One Big Beautiful Bill" signed into law last year.
Additionally, habeas corpus cases involving ICE detainees have risen sharply over the past two years as the administration has narrowed other avenues for those fighting deportation to secure release from detention. Stephen Miller, who previously served as deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser, has overseen policies that effectively closed the U.S. asylum system and shut down refugee admissions, with specific exemptions. The administration reports that illegal border crossings have declined significantly from the record highs observed during the Biden administration.
The Bottom Line
The appointment of Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff signals that the Trump administration intends to continue its current immigration enforcement trajectory despite political headwinds. With Democrats gaining control of Congress in January, the coming months will likely feature increased oversight efforts, including subpoenas and funding restrictions, as lawmakers attempt to rein in ICE operations. However, administration officials emphasize that the agency possesses sufficient funding and executive authority to sustain its high arrest rates, suggesting a prolonged conflict between federal enforcement priorities and congressional oversight.