On Thursday, former FBI agent Jonathan Gilliam appeared on Newsmax’s Carl Higbie: Frontline to express his concerns about illegal immigration and the systems he believes have enabled it to reach critical levels in the United States.

Gilliam highlighted the need for a comprehensive reform of the nation’s immigration policies, emphasizing that the problem goes far beyond deportation efforts.

“There’s an entire system here,” Gilliam stated during the interview.

“And, really, my biggest worry is not whether or not Tom Homan can deport these people. It’s whether or not the Trump administration can change this system and take that system out. That’s the purge that really needs to happen.”

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Gilliam’s comments come as illegal smuggling networks continue to exploit vulnerabilities in the U.S. immigration system.

These networks have utilized both land and air routes, including charter flights, to smuggle individuals into the country.

Law enforcement agencies have uncovered the involvement of organized criminal groups operating on a global scale, further complicating efforts to address the crisis.

In response, the U.S. government has implemented a series of strict policies aimed at curbing illegal immigration.

Under the Trump administration, measures such as constructing physical barriers along the southern border and increasing detention efforts have been prioritized.

Federal law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have ramped up operations targeting undocumented migrants, particularly in sanctuary cities.

Recent ICE operations have focused on removing individuals with unresolved criminal charges.

Nearly 500 illegal aliens have been detained in sanctuary cities such as New York and New Jersey.

Arrests in other cities, including Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Seattle, Miami, and Washington, D.C., have also been reported.

🚨NEW: Tom Homan reveals that ICE has already made 1300 arrests during deportation operations:

“We’ve arrested 1300 people, over a thousand of them are criminals.”

“The other ones are either fugitives who’ve been through immigration court, that became a fugitive, or… pic.twitter.com/wEQlGKy9QX

— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) January 24, 2025

Notable arrests include an alleged MS-13 gang member in New York, a Jamaican national accused of sexual exploitation of a minor, and a Honduran individual with a prior DUI conviction.

These operations underscore the federal government’s focus on apprehending individuals deemed to pose a threat to public safety.

In Chicago, the Trump administration reportedly planned a significant deportation operation involving up to 200 ICE agents.

However, the plans were delayed after details of the operation were leaked to the media.

Gilliam’s appearance on Newsmax highlights ongoing concerns about the structural issues within the immigration system.

While enforcement actions have targeted specific individuals, Gilliam argues that broader systemic changes are necessary to address the root causes of illegal immigration and prevent future exploitation by smuggling networks and criminal organizations.

“The system needs to be completely overhauled,” Gilliam emphasized, reiterating his belief that piecemeal efforts, such as deportation operations, will not fully address the issue.

He called on the Trump administration to take bold steps in reforming the system to ensure lasting change.

As immigration continues to be a focal point of national debate, calls for both immediate enforcement and long-term reform remain central to the discussion.

Federal agencies and lawmakers face ongoing challenges as they seek to balance border security, public safety, and the need for comprehensive solutions.