In a pointed reply on Monday, June 16, the White House dismissed criticism from former President Barack Obama regarding President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, claiming that Americans are not interested in Obama’s views.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told the Daily Beast that voters would have supported “open-borders radical, Kamala Harris” if they agreed with Obama. She added, “But it’s President Trump that’s in the White House, and he is fulfilling his promise … securing our borders and deporting illegal aliens.”
The exchange began after Obama took to X on Sunday, emphasizing the risks of labeling immigrants as foes. He highlighted his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program—initiated 13 years ago—as an example of “how we can be a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws.”
Obama referred to DACA to underline his stance: “Thirteen years ago, my administration acted to protect young people who were American in every single way but one: on paper,” he stated. He argued that today’s immigrants “just want to live, work, and support their communities” and deserve “treating each other with dignity and respect.”
Shortly after Obama’s remarks, President Trump used Truth Social to urge ICE agents to conduct the “single largest Mass Deportation Program in History,” focusing on “Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens,” especially in Democrat-led cities such as Los Angeles, California, Chicago, Illinois, and New York City. Trump claimed, without evidence, that immigrants in these cities manipulate elections and strain the welfare system.
Trump announced that he had directed his administration to allocate all possible resources to curb what he described as harmful migration, which he claimed has changed once-peaceful towns into those with third-world conditions.
According to Vox, Trump’s deportation numbers remain well below Obama’s peak of about 438,000 removals in 2013. Despite discussions of mass deportations and a proposed $155 billion enforcement plan, Trump has not yet achieved Obama’s figures. Vox attributes this to a decrease in border crossings and increased resistance from states and local agencies.
This political exchange coincides with an uptick in aggressive ICE operations, notably workplace raids in Los Angeles, sparking protests nationwide.
CNN reports that the Department of Homeland Security recently reversed policy directives that had limited immigration raids at farms, hotels, and restaurants—decisions driven by direct White House pressure to meet enforcement goals. According to a source, during a Monday morning field call on June 16, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials informed leaders from field offices nationwide to restart worksite raids. This directive reverses guidance issued just days earlier after facing pressure from industries relying on migrant labor.
In response, states such as California have moved to enact laws protecting immigrants from federal enforcement, restricting ICE’s access to hospitals, schools, and public spaces without warrants. California lawmakers are advancing these bills to limit ICE’s reach. Politico reports that Democrats are mobilizing against what they call “military-style operations.”
Public opinion remains divided. A Pew Research Center poll from June 2025 found that around 60 percent of U.S. adults disapprove of Trump-era policies—including asylum restrictions and increased ICE raids—while Republicans largely support the measures. Half of respondents said deportations have been “too careless,” and a majority favor a pathway to legal status for undocumented individuals.
Obama’s administration reoriented enforcement by focusing on undocumented individuals with serious criminal records. This approach kept total deportation numbers lower while prioritizing threats to public safety. In contrast, Trump’s current policy emphasizes broad workplace and community enforcement but has not yet realized its mass deportation objectives.
Despite Trump’s strong support for ICE, the data show a different picture: enforcement numbers remain below Obama’s 2013 peak. Nevertheless, the Trump administration continues to direct resources toward increasing raids in Democrat-led areas.
This public disagreement highlights a persistent political divide over immigration enforcement, national identity, and deportation’s role in American society. Obama’s appeal focuses on dignity and legal pathways, while Trump’s messaging centers on rule enforcement and national security.
