As President Donald Trump makes good on his cornerstone campaign promise to conduct mass deportations of illegal aliens living in the United States, federal officials are beginning the search for those who are undocumented in South Alabama.
On Monday, Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch told reporters that his department will provide any resources federal authorities may require to conduct operations in the area, including making additional jail room available to hold those arrested awaiting deportation.
“There’ll be teams picking people up as they’re able to identify persons who are, just known criminals that are here illegally,” Burch said. “And we will work with them and assist them in any way we can. With personnel and if need be, I’ll make room in the jail for them until they’re processed and sent back.”
It’s not just criminal illegal aliens that are being arrested, according to Burch.
“You know, frequently as they will go looking for the individuals they’re looking for, there will be several other people with them that are illegal,” he said. “And collaterally, they will more than likely be detained as well.”
In the executive order that mandates the deportations, the Trump Administration pointed to the preponderance of crime and ill acts being committed by illegals as the guiding reason for the mass deportations.
“Many of these aliens unlawfully within the United States present significant threats to national security and public safety, committing vile and heinous acts against innocent Americans.” the order read. “Others are engaged in hostile activities, including espionage, economic espionage, and preparations for terror-related activities. Many have abused the generosity of the American people, and their presence in the United States has cost taxpayers billions of dollars at the Federal, State, and local levels.”
According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE made 956 arrests of illegal immigrants nationwide on Sunday followed by 286 arrests on Saturday, 593 arrests on Friday, and 538 arrests on Thursday.
Burch said the searches and arrests in the area officially began on Sunday. He anticipates that immigration raids in Mobile will continue into the near future.
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
