Biden's administration limited ICE's ability to arrest illegal immigrants

As part of another Donald Trump administration's immigration policy review, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that federal agents will no longer be allowed to arrest people in or near courthouses for most immigration violations. The edition told in more detail NPR.

Photo: Shutterstock

DHS chief Alejandro Mallorcas said in a statement that such arrests impede justice and public safety.

“The increase in arrests of immigrants in courthouses during the previous administration had a chilling effect on people's willingness to go to court or cooperate with law enforcement,” Mayorkas said.

A previous policy, introduced in 2018, allowed the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enter federal and local courts to arrest people who were there for reasons unrelated to their immigration status. Among those detained by federal agents were witnesses in lawsuits, people seeking legal protection and other immigrants.

On the subject: Biden's 100 days: what immigration promises the president fulfilled

In one famous case in 2017, ICE agents arrested a woman in an El Paso, Texas courthouse just after she was given a protection order against her violent partner. The victim's lawyer, who accompanied her to her court appearance, said one ICE agent was in the courtroom, two more guarded every exit door, and other agents watched the 10-story courthouse.

The directive applies to agents of the USCIS and USCS, both affiliated with DHS. According to DHS, arrests in or near courthouses will only be permitted if:

• it is related to the issue of national security;
• there is an imminent risk of death, violence or physical harm to any person;
• is associated with hot pursuit of a person posing a threat to public safety;
• there is an imminent danger of destruction of material evidence in a criminal case.

The administration of US President Joe Biden is reorienting how the government tackles immigration violations. Like the Trump administration, it focuses on those who pose a threat to public safety, but a major change will end the widespread arrests of innocent immigrants.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

The policy change comes on the day President Biden appointed Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, a vocal critic of Trump's immigration policies, as director of ICE. While sheriff of Harris County, Texas, Gonzalez shut down a program that trained officers to screen detainees for their immigration status.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Useful quarantine: 12-year-old boy graduated from high school and college at the same time

A simple explanation of the complex medical insurance system in the USA: the immigrant’s personal experience

Free Colleges and Paid Holidays: Biden Prepares 'Family Assistance Plan'

Real ID will not be mandatory anytime soon: deadline has been postponed again

Why and how to come up with a lottery with green cards

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.