Acting ICE director says agency will ‘ramp up’ raids in sanctuary cities
ICE Director Vows to Ramp Up Raids in Sanctuary Cities
Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has announced plans to increase raids in sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with his agency. In an exclusive interview, Lyons emphasized that ICE agents will target criminal illegal immigrants regardless of sanctuary policies.
“The more they’re going to double down or triple down, we’re going to ramp it up more,” Lyons stated in an interview with Fox News. “We want to work with you, but if you don’t want to work with the federal government, if you don’t want to work with ICE, then we’re going to make sure that we’re doing all we can do to bring our law enforcement resources to that jurisdiction. And we’re going to take care of those public safety threats.”
Lyons also commended California Governor Gavin Newsom for expressing willingness to collaborate with ICE, despite the state’s sanctuary policies. California typically does not cooperate with immigration authorities, but Newsom’s recent announcement indicated a shift in approach, particularly in honoring detainer requests.
Biden DOJ vs. Trump Administration
Lyons’ remarks come amid a broader debate over immigration enforcement policies. The Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda has faced scrutiny, with critics raising concerns about the impact on immigrant communities. In contrast, the Biden administration has signaled a different approach to handling immigration issues.
In the first 100 days of the Trump administration, ICE reported over 6,000 arrests of illegal immigrants. Lyons emphasized that ICE’s focus remains on targeting “the worst of the worst,” including violent gang members, sex offenders, and fentanyl traffickers.
As Congress considers funding for ICE to hire an additional 10,000 agents, Lyons underscored the importance of additional resources in enhancing the agency’s enforcement capabilities. He cited a recent operation in Boston where ICE encountered challenges due to the release of criminal aliens from sanctuary jurisdictions.
Support for ICE’s Enforcement Actions
Lyons defended ICE’s enforcement actions as essential for protecting communities and ensuring public safety. He highlighted the need to remove individuals who pose a threat to society, emphasizing the role of ICE in safeguarding neighborhoods and children from harm.
“How can anyone argue with you when you’re deporting violent gang members, sex offenders, and fentanyl traffickers?” Lyons questioned. “ICE is out there protecting communities, taking these public safety threats away from our neighborhoods, protecting our children.”
Overall, Lyons’ statements reflect ICE’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and addressing public safety concerns, particularly in jurisdictions that do not cooperate with federal authorities. The agency’s efforts to target criminal illegal immigrants align with its mission to uphold national security and protect the American public.
