Washington, January 29 (RHC)-- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made her debut in the briefing room Tuesday admitting to reporters the Trump administration believes all undocumented immigrants are criminals and will be targeted for mass detention and deportation. 

Raids are taking place nationwide, with thousands arrested since Trump’s inauguration, including in Chicago and New York City, where Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, agents in operations that began Tuesday. 

ICE is reportedly planning a round of raids in Aurora, Colorado, this Thursday, and three more cities are expected to be targeted next week.

President Trump is signing the Laken Riley Act into law, his first piece of legislation since returning to office.  The bill expands mandatory detention and possible deportation of undocumented people who are accused, though not convicted, of nonviolent theft offenses such as shoplifting.  This comes as ICE has been directed to meet a quota of between 1,200 to 1,500 arrests per day, as Trump plans to pack ICE detention centers, including those run by for-profit prison companies.

In related news, Oklahoma’s state Board of Education has unanimously approved a rule that will force parents to provide proof of their children’s citizenship and immigration status when they’re enrolled in school.  The policy still needs to be approved by Oklahoma’s Legislature and governor.

[ SOURCE:  DEMOCRACY NOW ]