Trump 2nd term: ICE arrests 956 undocumented immigrants on Sunday

ICE conducted "enhanced targeted operations," in certain cities like Chicago.

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Last updated: Monday, January 27, 2025 10:51AM GMT
ICE says 'targeted operations' are underway in Chicago
Amid fears of mass deportations and immigration raids in Chicago, ICE says it has begun targeted operations in the area.

President Donald Trump took a victory lap at a Las Vegas casino on Saturday after a five days of issuing executive orders on immigration, the economy, DEI and more.

Trump late Friday night stirred up outrage when he blindsided at least 17 inspectors general at multiple federal agencies by firing them in an email from the White House personnel office.

Meanwhile, two more of Trump's picks for his Cabinet -- Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense and Kristi Noem as secretary of Homeland Security -- were sworn in to office on Saturday.

ByLuke Barr ABCNews logo
Jan 22, 2025, 4:09 PM GMT

ICE updates terminology from noncitizen to 'alien'

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is updating its terminology as a result of the election.

From now on, those they are arresting will be referred to as "alien" as opposed to "noncitizen" and those in the country without authorization will be referred to as "illegal alien" according to an internal ICE memo obtained by ABC News.

"ICE employees are directed to use the lexicon consistent with the immigration and nationality act and the language historically used by the agency," according to the memo.

The Biden administration changed the language in 2021 when former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issued terminology guidance. Trump's used increasingly dark rhetoric on the campaign trail when talking about migrants, including calling some of them "animals."

ABCNews logo
Jan 22, 2025, 3:01 PM GMT

Refugee arrivals to US 'suspended until further notice,' State Department memo says

Refugee arrivals to the United States are "suspended until further notice," as a result of the president's executive order, a State Department memo obtained by ABC News says.

"All previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being cancelled, and no new travel bookings will be made. RSCs (Resettlement Support Centers) should not request travel for any additional refugee cases at this time," according to the memo sent on Tuesday. "Additionally, all refugee case processing and pre-departure activities are also suspended."

A source familiar with the data says approximately 10,000 refugees had travel booked.

Refugee processing is also canceled.

- ABC's Luke Barr

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Jan 22, 2025, 3:01 PM GMT

13 Senate Democrats say they'll work with GOP on border security

Thirteen Senate Democrats sent a letter to Majority Leader John Thune committing to working with Republicans in "good faith" toward providing the necessary 60 votes in the Senate to pass certain immigration measures.

"As we have shown, Democrats and Republicans can work together on real bipartisan solutions. We can solve big challenges when we work together, and there is much work to do to improve border security, protect Dreamers and farmworkers, and fix our immigration system to better reflect the needs of our country and our modern economy," the Democrats wrote.

The group of Democrats say common ground can be reached on "fair immigration enforcement accompanied by the necessary resources to effectively secure our border". They also say they see a need for a "firm but fair immigration system."

A bipartisan border bill was negotiated and unveiled during the 2024 campaign, but was effectively killed by Trump, who urged Republicans not to support it.

-ABC News' Allison Pecorin

ABCNews logo
Jan 22, 2025, 2:16 PM GMT

Musk says he was in the Oval Office for Ulbritcht pardon

Billionaire Elon Musk posted online overnight that he was present in the Oval Office when Trump signed a pardon for Ross Ulbritcht, who was serving life in prison for running the black market site Silk Road.

"I was honored to be in the Oval Office tonight when @POTUS signed this," Musk wrote on his social platform X.

It would be the first time Musk has said he was in the Oval Office with the president since Trump returned to office.

Elon Musk arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.
Elon Musk arrives before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025.

ABC News previously reported Musk had been spotted at the White House in the West Wing.

Musk is said to have a blue badge, which is considered to be an all-access pass. He has an has office space in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building but sources told ABC News that Musk is also likely to get West Wing office space.

-ABC News' Will Steakin and Katherine Faulders