Dr. Phil McGraw, known for his long-running talk show, joined Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and Border Czar Tom Homan in Chicago on Sunday as part of an ongoing effort by the Trump administration to target undocumented migrants. During the operation, Dr. Phil engaged in a tense exchange with an illegal immigrant, Sam Seda from Thailand, who had been convicted of child sex crimes. The incident was captured on video and highlighted the administration’s focus on deporting individuals deemed to be public safety threats.
The detainee, who was handcuffed during the encounter, told Dr. Phil that he was “not really” a sex offender when questioned about his criminal record. Seda also confirmed that he was not a U.S. citizen but claimed his mother was. Homan clarified that Seda had been convicted of crimes involving children, emphasizing the challenges posed by sanctuary cities, which often limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Seda was one of over 300 identified targets in Chicago and its surrounding areas, including more than 150 individuals who had previously been in police custody, according to Homan.
The raid was part of a larger crackdown initiated by President Donald Trump shortly after taking office. ICE reported 956 arrests on Sunday alone, the largest single-day number since Trump’s inauguration. Homan described the operation as a “targeted enforcement effort,” stating that ICE agents carefully investigate and identify individuals for arrest. The raid targeted individuals deemed “high-value,” including sex offenders, convicted murderers, and members of criminal organizations such as Tren de Aragua.
The focus on sanctuary cities has been a contentious issue, with local officials in Chicago, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, reiterating their refusal to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Pritzker appeared on CNN’s State of the Union to argue that local law enforcement should not assist in the arrest of undocumented individuals without warrants. He acknowledged the importance of deporting violent criminals but expressed concerns over deporting individuals who have been long-standing members of their communities.
Homan pushed back on those claims, pointing to the arrest of Seda and others as evidence of the risks posed by sanctuary policies. “People like this are walking the street,” he said, adding that ICE agents were focused on removing dangerous individuals who pose public safety threats. He also criticized Pritzker for spreading misinformation, accusing the governor of creating fear in the community by claiming that ICE agents were targeting schools—an assertion Homan said was false.
JUST IN: The first arrest in Chicago with @RealTomHoman was a convicted sex offender and internet predator from Thailand.
For full live coverage of the operation, download the MeritTV app. pic.twitter.com/KEcphUWDDJ
— Dr. Phil (@DrPhil) January 27, 2025
Raids were conducted in multiple cities, including Los Angeles, Denver, Miami, and Atlanta, as part of the broader immigration enforcement campaign. Across the nation, nearly 1,300 arrests were made on Thursday, with daily averages expected to increase significantly under directives from the Trump administration. ICE agents are now being tasked with making between 1,200 and 1,500 arrests per day, far above the daily average of 310 during fiscal year 2024.
The deportation effort has also sparked tensions with foreign governments. Colombia initially refused to accept deportees from the U.S., prompting Trump to threaten tariffs and visa restrictions. Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized Trump, accusing him of acting out of “greed” and comparing his actions to those of a “white slaver.” However, after Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on Colombian imports and threatened further penalties, Petro reversed course, agreeing to accept deported migrants. The dispute appears to have cooled for now, with the White House announcing late Sunday that Colombia would accept the migrants, and Trump’s retaliatory measures would be suspended.
Dr Phil is meeting with Border Czar Tom Homan, (to go over security protocols) and will be embedded with ICE as they go after 270 known, dangerous illegals, and he’s documenting it LIVE!
Hope they all stay safe!
Cannot wait to watch this! pic.twitter.com/pW3elvd4fg
— 🇺🇸ProudArmyBrat (@leslibless) January 26, 2025
The raids mark a significant escalation in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, with officials stating that efforts will continue to target individuals who pose public safety risks while addressing what they describe as longstanding challenges in U.S. immigration policy. Additional operations are expected in the coming weeks as the administration aims to meet its newly established enforcement goals.
