Pope Francis has been a vocal advocate for migrant rights, criticising restrictive immigration policies. "If true, this will be a disgrace," Francis said of Trump's deportation pledges.

Reid, who had New York Attorney General Letitia James as a guest, called the raids “performative” and accused Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of “ cosplaying” during a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdown in New York City. Many of the highly publicized missions have been targeting sanctuary cities.