• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
PoliticsU.S. Politics

The Mass Immigration Raids That Weren’t

By
Natasha Bach
Natasha Bach
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Natasha Bach
Natasha Bach
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 15, 2019, 10:58 AM ET

For the second time in less than a month, the mass immigration raids that President Donald Trump promised to carry out have failed to materialize.

In June, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was due to target thousands of people living in the U.S. without proper documentation in 10 major cities, including Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York—at Trump’s request. Trump proceeded to postpone the raids shortly before they were due to begin.

Next week ICE will begin the process of removing the millions of illegal aliens who have illicitly found their way into the United States. They will be removed as fast as they come in. Mexico, using their strong immigration laws, is doing a very good job of stopping people…….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 18, 2019

But last week it appeared as though the raids would finally happen, starting on Sunday. Trump told reporters on Friday that “it starts on Sunday,” and ICE would “take people out and they’re going to bring them back to their countries or they’re going to take criminals out, put them in prison, or put them in prison in the countries they came from.”

While Trump promised mass roundups, the weekend has come and gone with reports suggesting that raids were largely thwarted. ICE agents had been told to prepare for the weekend raids and then were reportedly never given nationwide orders.

ICE agents in several New York City neighborhoods were prevented from entering homes as they didn’t have warrants, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio told the local CBS affiliate that no arrests had been made. As of Sunday evening, local Bay Area CBS affiliate KPIX reported that there were no confirmed reports of raids there either.

There were similarly no reports of raids in Atlanta, and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot had announced ahead of the weekend that local police would not assist ICE in their efforts in the city. While New Orleans was originally due to be included, the city tweeted last week that operations would be postponed due to Tropical Storm Barry.

The New York Times reported that plans were changed due to the media attention around the raids, which included tipping off immigrant communities and preparing them with their rights should they be targeted. The mass raid will reportedly be replaced with a “smaller and more diffuse scale of apprehensions” due to occur throughout the week.

A number of advocacy and activist organizations circulated “know your rights” flyers and booklets, which taught undocumented immigrants, for example, that they are not required to answer their door. Officials and legislators in many cities had also made immigration experts available to those who sought help and advice. Several of the targeted cities are already designated ‘sanctuary cities,’ meaning that they limit cooperation with federal immigration agencies, such as ICE. 

The worst may yet be ahead though: with the work week beginning today, it may be more difficult for undocumented individuals to avoid ICE agents, as staying home is not necessarily an option for those with jobs.

More must-read stories from Fortune:

—What to expect from the second Democratic debate

—Who wins and loses as White House withdraws drug rebate plan

—A new holding center for migrant children is open in Texas

—Fed Chairman Powell: If Trump asks me to leave, I won’t

—Tom Steyer mastered markets and now he wants to topple Trump

Get up to speed on your morning commute with Fortune’s CEO Daily newsletter.


About the Author
By Natasha Bach
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Politics

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Politics

UK moves warship to Middle East for potential Hormuz mission
PoliticsMilitary
UK moves warship to Middle East for potential Hormuz mission
By Ellen Milligan and BloombergMay 9, 2026
4 hours ago
Iran war is draining world’s oil buffer at an unprecedented pace
EnergyOil
Iran war is draining world’s oil buffer at an unprecedented pace
By Grant Smith, Yongchang Chin and BloombergMay 9, 2026
4 hours ago
A federal judge weighing the future of a D.C. golf course doesn’t want to be Amy Poehler, but Trump might be interested as he remakes parks
PoliticsDonald Trump
A federal judge weighing the future of a D.C. golf course doesn’t want to be Amy Poehler, but Trump might be interested as he remakes parks
By Steven Sloan and The Associated PressMay 9, 2026
7 hours ago
Russian debt defaults are surging, with a quarter of the bond market at risk, while Putin hides in bunkers fixated on his war instead of the economy
EconomyRussia
Russian debt defaults are surging, with a quarter of the bond market at risk, while Putin hides in bunkers fixated on his war instead of the economy
By Jason MaMay 9, 2026
8 hours ago
Ted Cruz says the quiet part out loud: Trump accounts are Social Security personal accounts as GOP senator reveals ‘dirty little secret’
PoliticsSocial Security
Ted Cruz says the quiet part out loud: Trump accounts are Social Security personal accounts as GOP senator reveals ‘dirty little secret’
By Jason MaMay 9, 2026
10 hours ago
Putin presides over Russia’s Victory Day parade without tanks, missiles and other heavy equipment due to threat of Ukrainian long-range drones
PoliticsRussia
Putin presides over Russia’s Victory Day parade without tanks, missiles and other heavy equipment due to threat of Ukrainian long-range drones
By The Associated PressMay 9, 2026
12 hours ago

Most Popular

'Employers are increasingly turning to degree and GPA' in hiring: Recruiters retreat from ‘talent is everywhere,’ double down on top colleges
Future of Work
'Employers are increasingly turning to degree and GPA' in hiring: Recruiters retreat from ‘talent is everywhere,’ double down on top colleges
By Jake AngeloMay 9, 2026
14 hours ago
Ted Cruz says the quiet part out loud: Trump accounts are Social Security personal accounts as GOP senator reveals 'dirty little secret'
Politics
Ted Cruz says the quiet part out loud: Trump accounts are Social Security personal accounts as GOP senator reveals 'dirty little secret'
By Jason MaMay 9, 2026
10 hours ago
You're probably safe from the Hantavirus outbreak, but here's what you absolutely must not do, experts say
Politics
You're probably safe from the Hantavirus outbreak, but here's what you absolutely must not do, experts say
By Catherina GioinoMay 8, 2026
1 day ago
A Michigan farm town voted down plans for a giant OpenAI-Oracle data center. Weeks later, construction began
Magazine
A Michigan farm town voted down plans for a giant OpenAI-Oracle data center. Weeks later, construction began
By Sharon GoldmanMay 6, 2026
4 days ago
California farmers must destroy 420,000 peach trees after Del Monte closes its canneries and cancels more than $550 million in long-term contracts
North America
California farmers must destroy 420,000 peach trees after Del Monte closes its canneries and cancels more than $550 million in long-term contracts
By Sasha RogelbergMay 7, 2026
2 days ago
The CEO of Maersk, which ships 14% of everything you buy, said the Iran war is adding $500 million in monthly costs it's trying not to pass down
Energy
The CEO of Maersk, which ships 14% of everything you buy, said the Iran war is adding $500 million in monthly costs it's trying not to pass down
By Sasha RogelbergMay 8, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.