Trump administration officials are preparing a bold new strategy to bypass local resistance to immigration enforcement, according to Fox News contributor Marc Thiessen. Led by White House border czar Tom Homan and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, the plan introduces a new classification of criminal behavior targeting illegal immigrants. This move aims to force sanctuary cities and states—many of which have ignored civil ICE detainers—to comply with federal immigration laws. Sanctuary jurisdictions often release suspected illegal immigrants before ICE can take custody. However, the administration plans to charge illegal reentry as a felony, issuing federal felony warrants that local authorities are legally required to honor, unlike civil detainers. Thiessen praised this approach on Fox News, saying it allows the federal government to circumvent sanctuary policies effectively.

The strategy, called Operation Guardian Angel, has already led to hundreds of illegal immigrants being turned over to ICE. Critics, including the ACLU, condemn the tactic as an abusive use of power that endangers communities and undermines democratic principles. Despite this, President Trump remains confident, citing recent polls showing strong public support for his immigration policies, particularly the focus on deporting violent undocumented immigrants.