Massive Trump-Ordered Immigration Operation Deploys Over 100 Federal Agents Into San Francisco as Enforcement Surge Begins
Federal immigration authorities have launched a major enforcement operation in San Francisco, marking one of the largest coordinated efforts under President Donald Trump’s renewed crackdown on illegal immigration. The SF Chronicle confirmed that more than 100 federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are being deployed throughout the Bay Area as part of a sweeping surge operation promised by the president earlier this fall.
According to multiple federal sources cited in the report, the operation will target known sanctuary zones and undocumented individuals with prior deportation orders. It represents a significant escalation in the administration’s broader plan to restore federal immigration authority in regions that have long resisted cooperation with ICE and border agencies. San Francisco, which has maintained its sanctuary city status since 1989, is expected to be at the center of the week-long initiative.
In a statement earlier this month, President Trump vowed to “restore law, order, and sovereignty” in what he called “lawless sanctuary cities.” Sources inside the Department of Homeland Security said this latest surge had been planned for weeks and involves coordination between ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) unit and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Federal task forces are reportedly focusing on individuals with criminal convictions, repeat immigration offenses, and those evading federal detainers issued during previous administrations.
The White House has not released an official statement on the operation, but a senior administration official, speaking on background, said the president was personally briefed on the deployment and expects “measurable results.” “The president made clear from day one that immigration laws will be enforced in every city, regardless of political posture,” the source said. “This is about national security, public safety, and the rule of law.”
Reports from San Francisco’s Mission District and Bayview neighborhoods describe visible ICE vehicles and uniformed agents conducting pre-dawn operations. While some local advocacy groups have condemned the move, others acknowledged that the federal government has authority to act under existing immigration statutes. “This is not random,” one DHS source told reporters. “Every action is based on intelligence, prior records, and federal warrants. The priority remains individuals who pose a threat to public safety.”
President Trump previously criticized California’s refusal to assist with deportation efforts, arguing that lax state policies encouraged illegal crossings and overstays. His administration’s decision to deploy over 100 agents represents one of the strongest enforcement signals since returning to office, and insiders say more cities could follow. “Expect a series of coordinated surges,” one senior ICE official said. “San Francisco is just the start.”
The operation is already being closely monitored by media outlets and watchdog organizations. California Governor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor London Breed have not yet commented publicly, though state officials in Sacramento confirmed they were “aware of federal movements” in the region. Advocacy groups including the ACLU and Immigrant Legal Resource Center have urged residents to document all encounters with agents and seek legal assistance if contacted.
Still, federal officials say the operation is proceeding within legal boundaries and emphasizes humane enforcement. “Contrary to the political rhetoric, these missions are focused and deliberate,” said one CBP spokesperson. “There is no mass roundup, no indiscriminate targeting. We are enforcing the law as written.”
For supporters of the administration, the surge represents a long-awaited turning point. Trump himself has repeatedly argued that immigration enforcement is essential for protecting American workers and rebuilding domestic order. “Without borders, you don’t have a country,” he said earlier this year. “We will secure our cities, defend our citizens, and ensure that the law applies to everyone equally.”
As the operation expands across the Bay Area, residents are expected to see an increased federal presence at transit hubs, workplaces, and known gathering sites. While the full scope of the enforcement effort remains undisclosed for security reasons, DHS sources confirmed that operations would continue “until further notice.”
The development marks a new chapter in the administration’s immigration policy — one that signals both renewed intensity and a clear message to sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide: enforcement is back.
