Trump: Crackdown on illegal immigrants to start on Sunday

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that a major operation to arrest immigrants facing deportation will commence over the weekend.

Trump said that the operation would mainly focus on removing criminals.

But US media outlets report the crackdown is expected to target about 2,000 families in 10 cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Houston.

Trump revealed the operation on Twitter last month and then postponed it. It is unusual for the government to announce deportation operations ahead of time.

“People are coming into this country illegally, we are taking them out legally,” Trump told reporters.

The president said he was not concerned that the advance notice could help targeted immigrants evade arrest.

“If the word gets out, it gets out,” he said.

As the 2020 election approaches, Trump is looking to shore up support in his base. The move is an effort to signal that he is taking concrete measures against illegal immigration.

The operation has drawn criticism from immigrant rights activists. They say sending the families back to their countries would put their lives at risk.

They also say many immigrants do not receive proper notice of court dates and are unaware of the procedures needed to legally remain in the country. They say arresting them without consideration of these factors is inhumane.

About 500 protestors gathered in front of an immigration office in Los Angeles on Friday. The state of California is home to a large population of Central American migrants.