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US, 1,200 migrants arrested in one day: Trump defends measures

President justifies treatment of migrants, including chains and forced repatriations: ‘They are murderers and drug lords’

In the United States, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested nearly 1,200 migrants in a single day. This was reported by broadcaster NBC News, citing a senior U.S. official. Specifically, 1,179 people were arrested last Sunday, which is higher than the 956 arrests officially reported by the agency on the ‘X’ account.

Of these, only 52 percent (613 people) were classified as “criminal arrests,” involving individuals charged with serious crimes, while at least 566 people had committed no crime beyond illegally entering the United States, a civil infraction.

Among those arrested, ICE reported eight individuals classified as “worst offenders,” including two gang members. The identities of the other migrants and the reasons for their detention have not been fully clarified.

Trump’s statements

President Donald Trump has defended measures taken against migrants, including the use of chains during forced returns. During a Republican event in Florida, Trump said, “They are murderers, drug lords, gang members. The toughest people you’ve ever seen.”

Trump also praised the “step back” of Colombia, which was forced to take back some migrants following the imposition of tariffs on the country’s goods. “We worked hard with Secretary of State Marc Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. It was a great achievement,” he added.

The president also responded to criticism for his treatment of migrants during the repatriations, saying, “They were berating us for chaining them on a plane. But do you really want to fly a plane full of murderers and crime bosses? It will not end well.”

These statements follow growing international controversy, with numerous human rights organizations accusing the U.S. administration of violations against migrants.

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