The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing hundreds of raids as early as next month to deport families in the country illegally.

The plan is a result of a surge in the number of illegal immigrants in recent months. The raids carried out by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement only target families already ordered to be removed by an immigration judge, The Washington Post, citing people familiar with the operation, reports.

The spike in illegal immigration was spurred by a recent court decision that ordered DHS to start releasing families from detention centers. More than 100,000 families have come from Central America since the beginning of last year. They are fleeing violence and record-breaking suicide rates in countries such as El Salvador.

WaPo reports the Obama administration has been discussing the deportations for months, and DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson has been pushing for more action as the numbers are growing.

“Johnson has consistently said our border is not open to illegal immigration, and if individuals come here illegally, do not qualify for asylum or other relief, and have final orders of removal, they will be sent back consistent with our laws and our values,” DHS spokeswoman Marsha Catron said.

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