DHS Halts Mass Raids and Changes Immigration Strategy
Immigration enforcement in the US is shifting direction under a new DHS approach that reduces mass raids and prioritizes specific targets
Posted on 15/12/2025 at 17:43
- Fewer Mass Immigration Raids
- Focus on Serious Crimes
- Adjustment in Federal Operations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is modifying its immigration enforcement operations in the United States, according to a report cited by NewsNation.
The change involves moving away from broad raids aimed at all undocumented immigrants, according to Fox News.
The new strategy primarily focuses on individuals who have committed serious crimes.
Immigration Enforcement With a New Federal Focus
DHS to focus on arresting illegal immigrants with serious offenses amid negative polling on ICE raids: report https://t.co/2KaCCyhzCG
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 13, 2025
Teams under the command of U.S. Border Patrol’s chief commander, Gregory Bovino, will concentrate their efforts on specific targets.
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These targets include undocumented immigrants who have already been convicted of serious crimes.
The adjustment represents a significant operational shift in how federal agents act in the field as part of the broader DHS immigration enforcement strategy change.
How Are Immigration Operations Changing?
‘Home Depot-style ICE raids’ nixed as border patrol ‘changes tactics to focus on illegal migrants wanted for serious offenses’ https://t.co/9FhoE3oqD4
— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) December 13, 2025
According to the report, federal agents will place less emphasis on carrying out large-scale raids.
These types of operations had become frequent in locations such as Home Depot stores and other public spaces.
In those actions, undocumented immigrants were detained based on characteristics such as ethnicity, accent, or language.
Factors such as location—being at a Home Depot or a car wash—were also taken into account.
Under the new approach, agents will continue to monitor transit areas.
However, it is unlikely that Border Patrol will continue stopping people on the streets.
The report notes that this modification aims to concentrate resources on specific, well-defined cases within the DHS immigration enforcement strategy change.
Political Context and Ongoing Immigration Operations

The change in immigration law enforcement comes amid a complex political climate.
Support for President Donald Trump’s mass deportation policies has declined sharply in polls.
This year, Border Patrol has carried out raids against migrants in cities such as Los Angeles.
Operations have also been reported in Chicago and Charlotte.
These actions have sparked protests and lawsuits in various parts of the country.
The operations have been criticized for going too far, according to the cited outlet.
Despite the adjustments, some initiatives will continue.
A new operation in New Orleans, called “Catahoula Crunch,” remains underway.
Agents have already arrested more than 250 people.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that the goal is to reach 5,000 arrests, according to NewsNation, as the DHS immigration enforcement strategy change continues to unfold.
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