
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declares all illegal aliens criminals and introduces new media seat at briefings.
Quick Takes
- White House classifies all illegal aliens as criminals due to unlawful entry
- ICE arrests 3,500 individuals since President Trump’s return to office
- New ‘new media seat’ at press briefings includes digital influencers and podcasters
- Policy shift aims to enforce immigration laws and broaden media representation
White House Declares All Illegal Aliens as Criminals
In a significant policy shift, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the Trump administration now considers all illegal aliens in the United States as criminals. This declaration marks a stark departure from previous administrations’ approaches to immigration enforcement and reflects the current administration’s commitment to stringent border control and immigration law enforcement.
“All of them, because they illegally broke our nation’s laws, and therefore, they are criminals as far as this administration goes,” stated Leavitt during the press briefing and underscores the administration’s hardline stance on illegal immigration and sets the tone for future immigration policies and enforcement actions.
Karoline Leavitt schools a reporter: "If you are an individual—a foreign national—who illegally enters the United States of America, you are by definition a criminal, and so therefore you are subject to deportation." pic.twitter.com/xJWOTAvMzb
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 28, 2025
ICE Enforcement Actions Intensify
Since President Trump’s return to office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ramped up its operations, resulting in 3,500 arrests. The focus of these arrests has been on individuals with criminal records, although the new policy classifies all illegal entrants as criminals. In a single day, ICE arrested 1,000 individuals and lodged 554 detainers, highlighting the intensity of the current enforcement efforts. “I know the last administration didn’t see it that way, so it’s a big culture shift in our nation to view someone who breaks our immigration laws as a criminal, but that’s exactly what they are.” Karoline Leavitt went on to say.
Border Czar Tom Homan has indicated that deportation numbers are expected to increase as operations expand, signaling a continued focus on immigration enforcement as a key priority for the administration.
New Media Inclusion in White House Briefings
In addition to the immigration policy shift, Leavitt announced a groundbreaking change in White House press briefings. A new ‘new media seat’ has been introduced, allowing reporters, influencers, content creators, and podcasters to participate and ask questions during briefings. This move aims to diversify the voices represented in the White House press corps and ensure a broader range of perspectives are heard.
Breitbart News Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle and Axios co-founder Mike Allen were the first to occupy these new media seats, marking a significant change in the traditional press briefing format. Leavitt praised both outlets, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to honoring the First Amendment and including diverse media voices.
Implications and Reactions
The administration’s new stance on illegal immigration and the inclusion of new media in press briefings have sparked discussions across the political spectrum. Supporters argue that these changes will lead to more effective immigration enforcement and greater transparency in government communications. Critics, however, express concerns about the broad categorization of all undocumented immigrants as criminals and the potential impact on community relations.
As these policies continue to unfold, their effects on immigration enforcement, media coverage, and public perception will be closely watched. The administration’s commitment to these changes signals a significant shift in both immigration policy and media relations.
Sources:
All undocumented immigrants are “criminals,” Trump administration says
White House Declares All Illegal Aliens Are Criminals