Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been granted expanded powers allowing them to make arrests in locations traditionally considered off-limits, including churches, schools, and hospitals.
This major policy shift was announced by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Benjamin Huffman, and marks a significant departure from the long-standing practice of protecting “sensitive locations” from immigration enforcement actions.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in American schools and churches to avoid arrest,” said Mr. Huffman in a statement. He added that the administration trusts ICE agents to exercise these new authorities with common sense (CNN).
In 2011, the Obama administration introduced guidelines prohibiting immigration enforcement actions in sensitive locations, except under extraordinary circumstances, such as imminent threats to public safety. These restrictions were later reaffirmed under the Biden administration, with additional protections aimed at reducing fear among immigrant communities.
Immigrant rights advocates have expressed deep concern over this policy reversal. They argue that it could deter immigrants from sending their children to school, attending religious services, or seeking essential medical care in hospitals, further isolating already vulnerable communities.
In addition to lifting restrictions on sensitive locations, the administration has announced changes to the humanitarian parole program. This program, which allowed certain migrants to live and work temporarily in the United States, will now be significantly scaled back.
“The Biden-Harris administration has abused the humanitarian parole program to allow 1.5 million migrants to enter our country indiscriminately,” said Mr. Huffman. “This measure will return the humanitarian parole program to its original purpose: assessing migrants on a case-by-case basis” (CNN).
Under previous administrations, the program had been expanded to include multiple nationalities, offering temporary relief to individuals fleeing violence or disasters. However, critics, particularly Republican lawmakers, claim the Biden administration exceeded the program’s original intent, which was designed for limited use.
Advocates warn that these changes could have a chilling effect on immigrant communities. Schools and hospitals have historically been safe spaces for immigrants, regardless of their legal status. By targeting these locations, the new policy could create significant barriers to education, healthcare, and community participation.
“The removal of these protections will only sow fear,” said a spokesperson for an immigrant advocacy group, emphasizing that children and families may avoid seeking help or services out of fear of deportation.
This policy change reflects a broader, stricter approach to immigration enforcement, similar to that of the Trump administration. Supporters of these measures argue that eliminating protections for sensitive locations and reducing humanitarian parole programs will deter illegal immigration and restore order to the immigration system.
However, critics warn that this policy risks undermining the humanitarian principles that have long guided U.S. immigration policy. They caution that targeting sensitive locations and scaling back parole programs could exacerbate inequalities and further destabilize already vulnerable communities.
When the policy takes effect, it is likely to face legal challenges and scrutiny from advocacy groups and lawmakers. The full impact on immigrant communities and the immigration system as a whole remains to be seen.