ICE Warns: Agents Will Target Anyone in the U.S. Illegally and Crack Down on Employers Hiring Unauthorized Workers

In a recent interview, Todd Lyons, the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), shared the agency’s new approach. They plan to arrest anyone found living in the country illegally, even those without a criminal history. However, they aim to focus on the most serious offenders.

Lyons expressed frustration over local policies that limit cooperation with ICE. When local law enforcement does not hand over noncitizen inmates, his agents are forced to make more arrests in the community. He emphasized that his team prefers to concentrate on those already identified as public safety threats.

Under the Biden administration, collateral arrests—incidents where ICE arrests individuals not originally targeted—were largely restricted. However, this policy changed when President Trump took office again, allowing ICE to broaden its operations. Early on in Trump’s presidency, there were ambitious goals, with suggestions of 3,000 arrests each day. While that hasn’t been achieved, ICE received substantial funding to support its deportation efforts.

Recent statistics reveal that from January to June, ICE deported about 70,000 individuals with criminal records. Yet, many of these offenses were minor, like traffic violations. The agency has faced backlash for its methods, including targeting asylum-seekers in court and large-scale workplace raids.

On the worksite enforcement front, the Trump administration has reversed previous pauses on raids. Recent operations netted hundreds of undocumented workers at various facilities. Lyons insists that investigations against companies hiring illegal workers are crucial, as such actions can illuminate issues like forced labor.

In conclusion, Lyons affirmed ICE’s commitment to not only target unauthorized workers but also hold employers accountable for exploiting them. This dual focus aims to maintain public safety while addressing the challenges surrounding immigration in the U.S.

By understanding these dynamics, we gain insight into the complexities of immigration enforcement today and the balance of ensuring safety while addressing labor laws. For more information on immigration policies, visit the ICE official website.

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