President Donald Trump directed federal officials to expand efforts to deport migrants in the largest US cities in the face of protests and court challenges, even as his administration is looking to ease the impact of the crackdown on key sectors of the American workforce.

President Donald Trump issued a new social media proclamation Sunday night directing federal officials to prioritize deportations from New York and other Democrat-run cities, a move that comes after large protests erupted across the country in response to his administration’s immigration enforcement policies.

President Donald Trump has directed immigration agents to pause workplace raids at hotels, farms and restaurants, several news organizations reported over the weekend. But he said on social media Sunday night he was ordering ICE to "expand efforts to detain and deport" undocumented immigrants in Los Angeles,