ICE shuts down programs offering services to illegal immigrants, citing ‘immense’ costs

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently made the decision to end two programs that provide social services to illegal immigrants released into the U.S. interior. The agency stated that one of the programs brought “immense cost with little improvement” while the other was not in line with ICE’s mission.

The decision to end these programs came after Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., along with 15 members of Congress, wrote to ICE in May seeking more information about the “Alternatives to Detention” program. This program is designed to monitor illegal immigrants who are not in ICE detention. ICE defended the program, stating that it was efficient and effective in monitoring a segment of illegal immigrants on ICE’s non-detained docket.

ICE is faced with the challenge of having only around 40,000 available beds at any given time, while their non-detained docket consists of nearly 7.7 million people. The number of individuals on this docket has increased significantly during the Biden administration, with just over 181,000 enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program.

One of the programs that ICE has decided to end is the Wraparound Stabilization Service (WSS), which began in February 2020. This program aimed to provide psychosocial and behavioral health support for vulnerable participants and their families. ICE stated that the program was ineffective and costly, with only a 2% higher compliance rate compared to those who did not participate in the services.

The agency also decided not to continue a vendor contract for the Young Adult Case Management (YACMP) program, which offered services to 18- and 19-year-old migrants. ICE cited fiscal limitations and a lack of alignment with ERO’s mission and priorities as reasons for discontinuing the program.

Despite ending these programs, ICE provided information about the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), which monitors participants through app check-ins or GPS monitors. The agency reported high appearance rates at court hearings and provided statistics on charges and convictions for those in the program.

Conservatives have called on the new administration to scrap more programs providing services for illegal immigrants, redirecting resources towards detaining and deporting individuals instead. Lora Ries, director of The Heritage Foundation’s Border Security and Immigration Center, criticized the programs as a “boondoggle” and called for a focus on upholding ICE’s mission.

As the Trump administration prepares for a potential increase in deportations, the future of ICE programs and services for illegal immigrants remains uncertain. It is clear that ICE is facing challenges in balancing its resources and priorities in effectively enforcing immigration laws.