Recent changes in federal immigration policy have granted immigration authorities the ability to conduct enforcement actions in locations previously considered off-limits, such as churches and schools. This shift marks a departure from longstanding directives aimed at protecting so-called 'sensitive areas.'
Acting Homeland Security Secretary announced the termination of two directives, empowering agents to exercise more discretion in enforcement actions and eliminating a legal pathway for migrants seeking entry into the United States.
The statement emphasized the need to prevent criminals from seeking refuge in schools and churches to evade arrest. The administration aims to provide law enforcement with the flexibility to use common sense in carrying out their duties.
In 2011, ICE implemented a policy that prohibited arrests in sensitive locations. Advocates for immigrants have expressed concerns that revoking this policy could instill fear in immigrant communities, potentially deterring children from attending school and preventing individuals from seeking medical care.
The second directive involves phasing out parole programs that allowed certain migrants to temporarily reside and work in the U.S. Critics have accused the Biden administration of misusing the parole program by extending it to multiple nationalities. While specific programs to be discontinued were not specified, the statement indicated a return to a case-by-case evaluation process.
The administration highlighted its commitment to reevaluating the humanitarian parole program, which it claims was exploited to admit 1.5 million migrants indiscriminately. The move aims to restore the program's original intent of assessing migrants on an individual basis.
