Full Breakdown
ICE Targeting Strategies: Insights from Former Director John Sandweg
1/23/2026, 9:50:14 PM
Understanding ICE's City Selection Process
Former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Sandweg provided insights into the criteria used by the agency to determine which cities to target for enforcement operations. Sandweg, who served under President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2014, emphasized that the selection process is influenced by various factors, primarily the size of the immigrant population in a city and the presence of sanctuary policies that may harbor undocumented individuals.
In a recent interview, Sandweg explained that cities with significant immigrant populations are prioritized for ICE operations. He noted that sanctuary policies can increase the number of individuals that ICE seeks to apprehend, as these policies may limit local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities. "The biggest driver would be immigrant population... and then... if there is something like a sanctuary policy that would increase the number of at-large targets," Sandweg stated.
Recent Enforcement Actions
In 2025, the Trump administration directed ICE to intensify operations in major cities, including Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Portland, and Chicago. These cities were chosen due to their substantial immigrant populations and existing sanctuary policies. Sandweg indicated that such crackdowns are likely to continue, stating, "You want to go where the criminals are... traditionally, that's going to be in larger urban cities."
Challenges with Sanctuary Jurisdictions
Sandweg also highlighted the operational challenges posed by sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to comply with ICE detainer requests. These jurisdictions may hinder ICE's ability to apprehend individuals with serious criminal charges, complicating enforcement efforts. "There are jurisdictions... that have very restrictive sanctuary policies... you're going to find more targets because those people, ICE normally would take custody of them in jail or prison," he explained.
Despite some sanctuary jurisdictions cooperating with ICE in cases involving serious crimes, others remain resistant, which can lead to increased ICE presence in those areas. Sandweg remarked, "In those jurisdictions, you're sitting there scratching your head saying, these are bad guys, why won't they give us custody of this person in jail?"
Implications of ICE's Targeting Strategy
The targeting strategy employed by ICE reflects a broader approach to immigration enforcement that prioritizes urban areas with significant immigrant populations and sanctuary policies. This approach raises questions about the balance between local law enforcement practices and federal immigration enforcement, as well as the implications for communities affected by these operations.
Verbatim Quotes
- "The biggest driver would be immigrant population... and then... if there is something like a sanctuary policy that would increase the number of at-large targets." — John Sandweg, Former Acting ICE Director
- "You want to go where the criminals are... traditionally, that's going to be in larger urban cities." — John Sandweg, Former Acting ICE Director
- "In those jurisdictions, you're sitting there scratching your head saying, these are bad guys, why won't they give us custody of this person in jail?" — John Sandweg, Former Acting ICE Director
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Sandweg's insights provide a framework for understanding ICE's targeting strategies, there is ongoing debate regarding the effectiveness and ethical implications of these operations, particularly in sanctuary jurisdictions. Further investigation into the outcomes of these enforcement actions and their impact on local communities is necessary to fully understand the consequences of ICE's approach.
