The Trump administration refuted claims on Saturday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had issued temporary instructions to limit arrests to illegal immigrants with criminal records. This clarification comes amidst ongoing emphasis on strict immigration enforcement by President Donald Trump’s administration, which has vowed to intensify efforts against illegal immigration and increase deportations. Officials maintained that these efforts are not being reduced.
Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that, according to discussions with Trump as well as several ICE and Department of Homeland Security sources, guidance was shared nationwide earlier in the week directing field offices to focus on prioritizing the “worst first” offenders. This directive appeared to disturb some ICE agents, who found it surprising and frustrating.
Later, sources indicated that the confusion arose from internal talks about focusing on the most serious offenders, noting that it resulted from a “miscommunication” rather than indicating a formal shift in policy. “There is no change in immigration enforcement policy,” Melugin stated.
On Saturday evening, new guidance was sent to ICE field offices reiterating that the administration’s enforcement policies remain unchanged. Trump expressed to Fox News that ICE retains the authority to apprehend and deport any individuals who are illegally present in the country.
ICE agents will continue to arrest illegal immigrants who do not have additional criminal records and will also detain “collaterals,” which are individuals encountered during operations targeting others. Sources affirmed that the administration’s larger immigration enforcement strategy is still in effect.
