The Biden administration unveiled new regulations that limit authorities’ ability to pursue immigration to those who entered the country recently without authorization. Also, who are thought to be a threat to public safety in response to criticism from both political parties of its immigration policy.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that it will follow the decision issued earlier this month. Despite the fact that it “strongly disagrees” with it and is appealing to it.
Immigrant advocates and experts said the suspension of Biden’s order would only instill fear in immigrant communities. Many illegal immigrants will now be afraid to leave their homes for fear of being detained. It is essential to prioritize who to arrest and to deport.
The Texas case revolves around a memorandum issued last September by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. It directed immigration agencies to focus their enforcement efforts on those who posed a threat to national security or public safety. Also, to those who had recently entered the country illegally.
On June 10, however, U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton in southern Texas overturned Mr. Mayorkas’ memo. It sided with Republican state officials in Texas and Louisiana, who claimed the Biden administration lacked the authority to issue such a directive.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices
In response, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will make enforcement decisions on a case-by-case basis in a professional and responsible manner. As informed by their experience as law enforcement officials. It will be done in a manner that best protects against the greatest threats to the homeland, as mentioned by the Department of Homeland Security. Advocates say it remains to be seen how the court ruling will be implemented in cities and towns across the country.
The approach was taken by local ICE field offices, according to Sarang Sekhavat, political director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. Some ICE offices may choose to pursue a broader range of immigrants. While others will continue to focus on those who poses the greatest threats.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement data
According to the agency’s most recent annual report, ICE officials arrested more than 74,000 immigrants. Also, they have deported more than 59,000 in the fiscal year that ended in September. According to ICE data, this is a decrease from the previous fiscal year’s nearly 104,000 arrests and 186,000 deportations.
ICE spokespeople in Washington and Boston cover the six-state New England region. As well as officials in ICE’s Los Angeles field office, declined to comment. However, in June Thomas Giles, head of ICE’s Los Angeles office, interviewed with the AP prior to the Texas court ruling. He stated that nine out of ten immigration arrests in the city involve people convicted of crimes.
He claimed that the Biden administration’s priorities didn’t make a significant difference in the region. It’s because officers were already focused on people with felony criminal convictions or prior deportations. He explained that it required them to weigh aggravating and mitigating factors. Also, to conduct more detailed evaluations of cases, but the focus remained constant. Mr. Giles mentioned that they are out here to improve public safety.
