The Biden years brought chaos at the southern border, but President Trump is now moving to turn the tide with the most ambitious immigration enforcement project in U.S. history. In El Paso, Texas, at Fort Bliss, the Trump administration has opened what will soon be the largest federal migrant detention facility ever built.

The site can already hold 1,000 migrants, but plans are underway to expand capacity to nearly 5,000. When complete, the facility will surpass every other detention complex in American history, becoming the centerpiece of Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Officials have dubbed it a cornerstone of his long-promised mission to secure the border and restore order.

Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, framed the project as a direct product of the administration’s legislative victory. “The One Big Beautiful Bill has provided historic funding to help us carry out this mandate,” she said, pointing to the unprecedented funding for detention beds and enforcement manpower. She noted the resources will allow for an average daily detention population of 100,000 illegal aliens with 80,000 new ICE beds.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who toured the site, described it as the “Lone Star Lock Up.” His words left no doubt about its mission: “It’s important for people to understand — we are not talking gardeners or housekeepers. These are people who didn’t show up to court-ordered hearings. There is no due process concern. They have no legal right to be here.”

Governor Greg Abbott has made clear Texas will play an active role. Just weeks ago, he declared the state would “help arrest, jail, & deport illegal immigrants,” signaling a united front between Austin and Washington on enforcement priorities. Video footage already shows the vast scale of the facility, which looks less like a temporary holding site and more like a military-grade complex prepared for long-term operations.

Polls suggest the public mood is firmly on Trump’s side. A July Marquette survey revealed a majority of Americans favor deporting migrants in the country illegally. That number has held steady as the administration continues to argue that the overwhelming majority of those detained have either criminal convictions or pending charges. The public perception, long shaped by years of unchecked border crossings, is now aligning with Trump’s narrative that illegal immigration represents both a national security risk and a strain on American communities.

The context makes this expansion even more significant. Just last week, federal authorities recorded 60,000 migrants detained — a record that is expected to be broken quickly with this facility and others slated for expansion. For Trump, it’s not just about numbers; it’s about restoring the credibility of a border that many Americans believe has been abandoned for too long.

But the move also carries international implications. Critics abroad accuse Washington of erecting mass camps that could strain diplomatic ties, especially with Mexico and Central American nations. Human rights groups are likely to escalate their challenges, arguing that the sheer size of the facility reflects an overly aggressive approach. Yet Trump’s allies counter that the alternative — a flood of unlawful migration — is unsustainable and dangerous.

As this mega-center begins operations, the battle lines over immigration are drawn sharper than ever. Trump is betting that Americans want tough action, and he’s delivering it in historic fashion. For his opponents, this expansion is a symbol of a harsher, more uncompromising America. For his supporters, it is proof that Trump keeps his promises.

Either way, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This isn’t just another policy announcement — it’s a seismic moment in the fight over America’s borders and identity. And the outcome could shape politics for years to come.