President Trump's administration has given U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) permission to make arrests at schools and churches, rescinding guidelines that prevent arrests in so-called “sensitive” areas.
The directive was issued by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) Benjamin Huffman on Monday, but he announced it in a statement on Tuesday.
“This action empowers the brave men and women of CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and apprehend criminal aliens who enter our country illegally, including murderers and rapists,” a DHS spokesperson said. said. said In a statement.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America's schools and churches to evade arrest,” the spokesperson added. “The Trump administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement and trusts them to use common sense.”
A policy was enacted in 2011 that prohibits ICE agents from arresting illegal immigrants in various locations. The guidelines prohibited the arrest of individuals at places such as funerals, weddings, hospitals, and schools. The Biden administration has largely adhered to this policy.
The second rescinded directive curtailed several parole programs that allow immigrants from certain countries to temporarily live and work in the United States, typically when their home country is facing a humanitarian crisis. The press release did not say which parole groups would be affected, adding that returns would be made on a “case by case” basis.
“The Biden-Harris Administration abused the Humanitarian Parole Program to indiscriminately admit 1.5 million immigrants into our country,” a DHS spokesperson said.
“This all stopped on the first day of the Trump administration,” the spokesperson added. “This action returns the Humanitarian Parole Program to its original purpose of considering immigrants on a case-by-case basis.”
Contributed by Rebecca Beitsch
Updated at 8:24 a.m. ET
