WESLACO – President Donald Trump’s executive order calls for enhancing public safety in the interior of the United States. However, he isn’t the first president to target immigration laws.

President Bill Clinton had strict immigration enforcement. He called for an increase in Border Patrol staff and tougher sanctions for people who were caught inside the U.S. illegally.

Trump’s executive order was signed on Jan. 25. It prioritizes the removal of people with criminal backgrounds who crossed the border illegally and others.

In one section it states, “In furtherance of the policy described in Section 2 of this order, I hereby direct agencies to employ all lawful means to ensure the faithful execution of the immigration laws of the United States against all removable aliens.”

ICE executed raids to capture people in the country illegally with criminal history and who are considered a public threat. It should be noted ICE conducts operations daily in certain areas around the country.

The agency said it doesn’t conduct sweeps, checkpoints or raids that target certain people.

Presidents in the past have cracked down on illegal immigration.

“It’s not as if this president is the first one to start to enforce immigration laws. Obama deported 2.5 million people in his presidency, which is more than all the presidents in the 20th century combined,” SMU law professor and immigration attorney, Natalie Nanasi, said.

Clinton sent an additional 1,000 Border Patrol agents to the southwest U.S. border. He also deported around 51,600 people in the country illegally with criminal history in one year.

Trump’s order asks the Director of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to hire 10,000 additional immigration officers over the course of a year.

ICE calls people in the country illegally who are law abiding citizens its lowest priority.