President Trump declares cartels terrorist organizations

CHICAGO, IL – As tensions rise over immigration policies, major U.S. cities, including Chicago, are bracing for potential large-scale immigration raids. Local leaders have vowed to protect immigrant communities, emphasizing the importance of keeping families together. “We will stand up for them in Illinois,” a state official declared, assuring parents that schools remain safe places for their children.

Amid this climate, organizations such as the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights are advising those in fear to take precautionary measures, including not opening doors to unverified visitors and memorizing essential phone numbers in case of emergency.

In a related development, the Trump administration has taken a significant step in its approach toward drug cartels by designating them as foreign terrorist organizations. This decision, aimed at intensifying efforts against these groups, aligns cartels with entities like al-Qaeda and ISIS, potentially enabling military action without congressional approval.

The designation targets notorious cartels, such as the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation, known for their involvement in human trafficking and violent crimes. These organizations are also major contributors to the fentanyl crisis affecting the U.S. Under the new classification, the U.S. government can freeze assets, restrict travel, and penalize those assisting these groups.

The move has sparked concerns among Mexican officials who fear it could justify military intervention on Mexican soil. Former President López Obrador and others have voiced opposition, worried about sovereignty implications.

Additionally, the executive order extends to other criminal entities, including the Salvadoran gang MS-13 and the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which have established presences in multiple U.S. states, notably Texas.

President Trump has pledged to use the full force of federal and state law enforcement to dismantle foreign criminal networks within the U.S. The proclamation is supported by an emergency declaration at the southern border, citing the control cartels exert over regions just south of the U.S., impacting drug flow into the country.

The decision has met with resistance from figures like Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who reiterated Mexico’s sovereignty in a recent press briefing. The move underscores the complex dynamics of U.S.-Mexico relations amid ongoing border security concerns.