The Trump administration is preparing to launch a significantly more aggressive immigration enforcement strategy in 2026, underpinned by a colossal $170 billion in additional funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, allocated through to 2029.
An "Explosion" in Enforcement Actions Predicted
White House border czar Tom Homan has forecast a dramatic escalation in arrests, telling Reuters news agency, "I think you're going to see the numbers explode greatly next year." This statement sets the tone for what is expected to be a period of intense activity targeting undocumented migrants across the United States.
The expanded strategy is multi-faceted and designed to increase capacity and reach. Key elements include:
- Hiring thousands of new enforcement agents.
- Opening additional detention centres to house those arrested.
- Increasing arrest operations within local jails.
- Partnering with private companies to aid in tracking undocumented individuals.
Workplace Raids Set to Expand in 2026
A notable shift in policy will see a significant increase in enforcement actions at workplaces. Homan confirmed that plans "absolutely" include more raids on businesses after operations in 2025 largely avoided farms, factories, and other sectors crucial to the economy but known for employing immigrants without legal status.
This move signals a departure from the previous year's more cautious approach and is likely to have substantial implications for both employers and the labour market in key industries.
Political Backlash and Legal Status Revocations
This intensification of immigration policy comes at a politically sensitive time. There are growing signs of a backlash ahead of next year's midterm elections, coupled with a reported dip in President Trump's approval rating specifically on immigration.
Parallel to the planned enforcement surge, the administration has already taken steps to strip temporary legal status from hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Haiti, Venezuela, and Afghanistan. This action removes a key protection, making these groups more vulnerable to detention and removal under the new enforcement regime.
The combination of vastly increased funding, a predicted explosion in arrests, and the targeting of workplaces marks a decisive hardening of US immigration policy as the Trump administration looks towards 2026. The political and social consequences of this crackdown are poised to become a central issue in the upcoming electoral cycle.
