Trump’s ICE limits illegal immigrant releases amid moves to shake off Biden ‘hangover’
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is implementing new measures to reduce the number of illegal immigrants released from custody, as the agency works to reverse what officials describe as the “hangover” from the previous administration. According to Fox News Digital, ICE is now requiring that any release of an illegal immigrant in custody must be personally approved by acting ICE director Caleb Vitello.
Under the Biden administration, ICE has arrested thousands of illegal immigrants in a mass deportation operation across the U.S. Agents have been making over 1,000 arrests a day as they eliminate restrictions put in place during the previous administration and take a more aggressive stance on illegal immigration.
“We are working to overcome the challenges and bad habits from the past four years,” a senior ICE official told Fox News Digital. “We are in the process of making significant changes to improve our operations.”
Currently, ICE has just under 42,000 beds available for detention, but is often exceeding capacity. The agency is working to secure more beds and detention space, with plans to reach a target of 100,000 beds and one million removals a year. It typically takes around 30 days for contractors to deliver additional beds, as they need to identify suitable locations, hire staff, and conduct background checks.
Despite the challenges, ICE has already made progress in reducing the number of illegal immigrants released from custody. The White House confirmed that over 8,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested, with only around 460 released. The new sign-off requirement for releases is expected to further decrease the number of individuals released.
ICE officials emphasized that releases are only made for cases that do not pose a threat to public safety or national security. Those released are monitored with ankle bracelets. Special considerations are made for individuals who are pregnant or have serious medical conditions, such as cancer.
In addition to limiting releases, ICE is working to increase detention space. The agency has requested $575 million in advance funding from the Office of Management and Budget to expedite its operations. ICE is also collaborating with other agencies, such as the Bureau of Prisons and Customs and Border Protection, to identify additional space for housing illegal immigrants.
Family detention remains a challenge for ICE, as the Biden administration ended family detention in 2021. The agency is working to reinstate family detention and has been in talks with other countries to expedite travel documents for deportable illegal immigrants. Venezuela and Colombia have agreed to accept back their citizens, and Guatemala has announced a safe third country agreement to accept migrants from other countries.
Overall, ICE is taking a proactive approach to address the challenges and limitations imposed by the previous administration. By implementing new measures and working closely with other agencies and countries, ICE aims to enhance its enforcement efforts and uphold immigration laws effectively.
