• Sean Hannity criticized ICE raids at Home Depot stores as “not a good idea” during his Fox News program
• Conservative commentator joins growing bipartisan concerns over workplace immigration enforcement tactics
• DHS reportedly shifting focus away from broad raids toward targeting serious criminal offenders

NEW YORK, NY (TDR) — In a notable break from typical conservative immigration rhetoric, Fox News host Sean Hannity has publicly criticized federal immigration enforcement operations at Home Depot stores, calling such raids “not a good idea” as public support for mass deportation policies continues to decline. The conservative commentator’s remarks signal growing bipartisan discomfort with certain immigration enforcement tactics employed during the Trump administration’s expanded crackdown.

Hannity’s comments come as the Department of Homeland Security reportedly shifts its immigration enforcement strategy away from broad workplace raids toward more targeted operations focusing on individuals with serious criminal records. The change reflects mounting evidence that indiscriminate immigration enforcement is proving politically unpopular and operationally problematic.

Conservative Voice Breaks Ranks

During recent broadcasts, Hannity has advocated for what he terms “responsible” immigration enforcement, suggesting federal agents should focus resources on dangerous criminals rather than conducting widespread raids at retail locations where day laborers gather. His position represents a significant departure from his typically hardline stance on immigration issues.

“Most Americans believe that if somebody is here illegally and they commit a serious crime, they need to be deported. But these broad raids at places like Home Depot? That’s not a good idea. We need a more responsible approach.” — Sean Hannity, Fox News, January 2026

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The Fox News host’s criticism aligns with emerging data showing declining public approval of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement methods. A Public Religion Research Institute survey released this month found approval of Trump’s handling of immigration dipped from 42% in March to 33%, while a YouGov poll found a majority of Americans oppose ICE operations tied to the mass deportation campaign.

Operational Challenges Mount

Recent immigration enforcement operations have faced increasing scrutiny from both political leaders and law enforcement officials. Multiple raids at Home Depot locations across Los Angeles have resulted in arrests but also sparked protests, lawsuits, and accusations of constitutional violations.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Ysabel Jurado has accused Home Depot of being “complicit” in immigration enforcement activities, citing repeated raids at Westlake and other locations since June 2025. The councilmember, whose district includes areas heavily impacted by immigration enforcement, has vowed to oppose new Home Depot developments until the company takes a public stance against workplace raids.

“These raids are part of a disturbing pattern across Los Angeles, with ICE repeatedly targeting Home Depot parking lots – common gathering spots for day laborers – without judicial warrants, in clear violations of people’s rights.” — Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, Los Angeles District 14, September 2025

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Home Depot has maintained that it is not notified in advance of ICE operations and does not request federal immigration enforcement at its locations. A company representative stated the retailer is “required to follow all federal and local rules and regulations in every market where we operate.”

Strategic Shift Underway

According to reports from NewsNation, DHS is modifying its approach by moving away from large-scale raids targeting all undocumented immigrants and focusing more specifically on individuals who have committed serious crimes. The change represents a tactical adjustment following months of operations that have yielded mixed results and generated significant political backlash.

Teams under U.S. Border Patrol Commander at Large Gregory Bovino will concentrate on specific targets, including undocumented immigrants with criminal convictions, rather than conducting indiscriminate workplace enforcement. The shift means federal agents will place reduced emphasis on operations that have occurred at Home Depot stores and similar locations.

Under the revised strategy, Border Patrol is unlikely to continue what critics describe as “grabbing people off the streets” without specific criminal targets or warrants. Agents will still conduct traffic stop enforcement, but the broad workplace raids that have characterized recent months may be scaled back.

Bipartisan Concerns Emerge

Hannity’s criticism reflects broader bipartisan unease with certain immigration enforcement tactics. Even typically conservative commentators have expressed concern about operations that appear to target individuals based on ethnicity, accent, language, or location rather than criminal behavior.

The concerns extend beyond political considerations to practical enforcement issues. Immigration rights advocates argue that workplace raids often violate constitutional protections, particularly when conducted without judicial warrants or when they target individuals based on appearance rather than evidence of immigration violations.

Business groups have also raised concerns about the economic impact of immigration enforcement operations that disrupt commerce and create fear among customers and workers. Some contractors and construction companies have reported delays in projects due to concerns about immigration enforcement at locations where they typically hire day laborers.

As the Trump administration recalibrates its immigration enforcement strategy, will Hannity’s criticism signal a broader conservative reassessment of mass deportation tactics—or represent an isolated voice of dissent in an increasingly hardline immigration debate?

Sources

This report was compiled using information from Fox News coverage of DHS policy changes, Mediaite’s coverage of Hannity’s comments, Fox News reporting on Los Angeles council opposition, Public Religion Research Institute polling data, and NewsNation reporting on DHS operational changes.

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