DHS Denies Rumors About ICE’s Arrest Policies

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has refuted claims circulating on Saturday night that ICE agents were instructed to stop apprehending non-violent undocumented migrants. “This is false,” the agency stated shortly after midnight.

No one is off the table. We will continue to arrest any and all illegal aliens that come into our path. Anyone in our country illegally will be arrested and deported. In an effort to protect American citizens, ICE has initiated a nationwide public safety surge in sanctuary cities where our brave officers will be targeting criminal illegal aliens—many released from jails by sanctuary politicians—including murderers, rapists, child predators, and gang members.

The rumor gained traction quickly on Saturday evening, particularly among Trump supporters, many of whom have expressed concerns about perceived pressure from the GOP’s pro-migration factions.

For instance, seasoned GOP advisor Karl Rove openly critiqued Trump’s pro-American migration strategy at a left-leaning event in Texas over the weekend.

Business interests have pushed Trump to significantly cut back on ICE operations against the widespread employment of low-wage undocumented workers across various sectors, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and farms. However, he has also maintained restrictions on new migrant entries, with ICE reportedly apprehending around 50,000 migrants monthly.

Deportations are estimated to have surpassed 2 million, while his administration is also scaling back the extensive use of white-collar visa workers.

This somewhat inconsistent approach in Trump’s politics seems to be aimed at sustaining his populist and business coalitions ahead of the 2026 election, all while working towards enhancing the political and economic power of Americans within their own nation.

Trump’s aides have utilized Fox News reporter Bill Melugin to clarify the situation:

I’ve spoken on the phone with President Trump and nine ICE & DHS sources about this today. Here’s what I’ve learned. Yes, this verbal guidance did go out to ICE offices across the country last night. I’ve spoken with ICE agents who received it & were shocked & frustrated by it. It’s unclear who it started with. However, I’m told it’s erroneous, was some type of “miscommunication” during conversations about prioritizing “worst first”, and there is no change in immigration enforcement policy. President Trump tells me anyone in the country illegally remains “on the table” for ICE arrest & deportation. I’m also told new guidance went out to ICE field offices tonight to reaffirm this and that yes, arrests of illegal aliens and “collaterals” without additional criminal history will continue. ICE sources confirm to me they received the new guidance.

I’m not really sure what happened here – but everyone is on the same page, including President Trump, in telling me that his immigration enforcement agenda isn’t scaling back.

While the rumor was making its rounds online, President Trump took to his social media account to criticize GOP amnesty supporter Rep. Maria Salazar, who is collaborating with pro-migration Republican legislators on a significant corporate initiative in the lame-duck session following the election.