White House with immigrant arrests photos: The Trump administration lines up posters of immigration arrests in driveways

On April 28, dozens of posters displaying mugshots of undocumented immigrants were placed along the White House driveway as part of a high-profile briefing led by border czar Tom Homan. The posters, which included accusations of serious crimes such as child molestation, were presented without names but accompanied by a White House release listing 100 recent arrests made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The display marked the 99th day of president Trump’s second term and served to underscore the administration’s hardline stance on immigration enforcement. Homan described illegal immigration as a threat to public safety, citing an increase in arrests of immigrants with criminal records, though ICE data also showed that nearly half of detainees in mid-April had no criminal background.

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Tougher enforcement amid legal challenges

The administration's renewed crackdown on immigration includes efforts to classify members of criminal gangs like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as foreign terrorists, invoking legal authorities such as the Alien Enemies Act to expedite deportations. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, these measures are part of what she described as “the largest deportation campaign in American history.” However, federal courts, including the Supreme Court, have temporarily paused many of these deportations while determining whether due process has been followed.

Despite legal pushback, the White House maintains its commitment to enforcement. Homan credited stricter border policies and construction of new wall segments for a dramatic decrease in illegal border crossings. In March, migrant encounters at the Southwest border dropped to under 7,200—down from over 137,000 the same month a year prior, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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Public messaging and political context

The use of mugshot posters at the White House marks a stark and symbolic approach to immigration messaging, intended to visually link illegal immigration with violent crime. Homan emphasized that the removal of certain individuals—particularly those accused of crimes against children—makes the country safer. This narrative is central to the administration’s strategy as it nears the 100-day milestone of Trump’s second term.

Immigration remains a divisive issue among voters, and while the administration touts progress in lowering border crossings, critics have raised concerns about due process and the broad scope of detentions. With nearly half of ICE detainees lacking a criminal record, advocates argue that the campaign may be sweeping in individuals who pose no threat to public safety, raising broader questions about the balance between enforcement and civil rights.