US preparing to raid homes and deport undocumented families

US is preparing to deport thousands of undocumented families as soon as January, according to a report that has shocked immigrants rights’ advocates and provoked condemnation from Democratic presidential hopefuls.

The nationwide campaign would be led by US immigration customs and enforcement (ICE) agents and could begin in early January, the Post said.

The Department of Homeland Security has begun preparing for a series of raids focusing on individuals who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security”, following immigration enforcement priorities set out by the Department of Homeland Security in November 2014.

“These include individuals, adults and children who have already been ordered removed from the United States by an immigration judge. The number targeted is expected to be in the hundreds and possibly greater.

The proposed deportations have been controversial inside the Obama administration, which has been discussing them for several months.

Experts say that the violence that was a key factor in driving people to flee Central America last year has surged again, with the homicide rate in El Salvador reaching its highest level in a generation.