Deportation raids that were set to begin in at least one sanctuary city the day after President Trump’s inauguration are on hold for now after an effort to keep the element of surprise, multiple law enforcement sources told The Post.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Chicago were told to stand down and that the operations were called off for now, sources said.
The Post previously reported that ICE was planning a “big f–king operation” starting Tuesday in multiple sanctuary cities, including New York City.
Incoming border czar Tom Homan told Fox News Sunday that ICE was considering rescheduling the raids to maintain the element of surprise against illegal migrants who pose “public safety threats and national security threats.”
“We’re not reconsidering any operations, there was a leak in Chicago so we’re looking at that leak and finding out how’s that affect officer safety concerns. Chicago’s not off the table, but we’re reconsidering when and how we do it,” said Homan.
“When those bad guys have a heads up that we’re hitting you at this time this day, it raises officer safety concerns,” he added.
The Wall Street Journal broke the news of the raids on Friday, reporting that as many as 200 ICE officers were set to deploy for the Windy City operation alone.
ICE officers have since received a warning not to disclose information about upcoming raids, sources said.
The agency was previously pausing arrests in certain offices to make room in detention centers for the targets of the Chicago raids, said one source.
“We aren’t arresting anyone and bringing them into custody, making room for what may happen next week,” said the source.
Homan vowed to supporters at an event in Chicago in December that the incoming admin would first target the Windy City.
“Chicago’s in trouble because your mayor sucks and your governor sucks,” the former acting ICE chief said.
Homan signaled Friday on Fox News that ICE raids are on the table in several cities after Inauguration Day.
“It’s going to be a big raid all across the country,” the incoming border czar told Fox News host Jesse Watters.
“Chicago is just one of many places. We’ve got 24 [ICE] field offices across the country. On Tuesday, ICE is finally going to go out and do their job. We’re going to take the handcuffs off ICE and let them go arrest criminal aliens. That’s what’s going to happen.”
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In anticipation of possible raids in New York City, migrants are fleeing taxpayer-funded shelters in droves to dodge deportation.
“It is better to leave before,” Venezuelan migrant Kervin Nava, 31, said outside a Long Island City shelter Sunday. “I am making arrangements, somewhere else.”
ICE didn’t immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
