WASHINGTON, Dec 21 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing for a more aggressive immigration crackdown in 2026 with billions in new funding, including by raiding more workplaces — even as backlash builds ahead of next year’s midterm elections.

After two years of not celebrating because of the war in nearby Gaza, Christmas festivities have returned to Bethlehem. Election officials in Honduras have named the winner of the country’s presidential election,

"As the Trump administration escalates its immigration enforcement efforts, 53% of Americans say it is doing 'too much' when it comes to deporting immigrants who are living in the United States illegally," the Pew Research Center revealed this week. "That share is up from 44% in March."

Trump administration plans aggressive workplace immigration raids ahead of 2026 midterms, raising concerns over labour shortages, business backlash, civil liberties and shifting voter sentiment across major US cities.

The incoming Archbishop of Canterbury has warned in her Christmas Day sermon that “our national conversations about immigration continue to divide us, when our common humanity should unite us”. Dame Sarah Mullally made history in October when she became the first woman named to take the leading role.