(Observer Network News) The US immigration department has once again recited the "tightening curse" and will prohibit the arrest of illegal immigrants in schools, hospitals and other "protected areas" in the future. This has been criticized by Republicans as an "insult to the rule of law."
Screenshot of the report
The website of the Us Consumer News and Business Channel (CNBC) and the National Public Radio (NPR) reported on October 27 that according to the new policy released by the US Department of Homeland Security on the 27th, the arrest and other law enforcement actions carried out by the US immigration department in hospitals, schools and a series of other "protected" areas will be restricted. This is similar to the Obama-era policy of restricting arrests in churches and schools, except that the Trump administration has largely ignored it.
This policy is effective immediately and applies to both U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and those involved will receive up-to-date training.
Under the memorandum of the new policy, they will be barred from making arrests, searches and issuing subpoenas in areas where migrants "receive or engage in basic services or activities."
The list of "protected areas" includes elementary and secondary school and university campuses, hospitals and other medical facilities, COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites, places of worship and places where children gather, such as playgrounds and daycare centres.
Other areas include shelters for homeless and victims of domestic violence, drug and alcohol treatment points and food distribution points. The memo shows that enforcement of migrants is also restricted during funerals, mass demonstrations and processions or in nearby areas.
In some cases, arrests are permitted in these areas, including when there is a national security threat and someone faces an imminent risk of death, violence or personal injury. But law enforcement officers must obtain approval before they can take enforcement action "at or near" protected areas.
On the 27th, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement that immigration departments must "take into account" the "impact" that law enforcement locations may have, as well as the impact on people's "broader societal interests."
CNBC said the new policy is the latest move by the Biden administration to erode the enforcement powers of the U.S. immigration department. Last month, immigration authorities were also instructed not to deport migrants simply because they did not have official documents. The memo shows that about 11 million illegal immigrants currently reside in the United States.
Majorcas said his department did not have the resources to pursue the tens of millions of people.
NBS noted that the new policy could lead to further accusations by Biden's critics that weaker enforcement would encourage more illegal immigrants to enter the Country.
According to the Washington Post, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data show that as of fiscal year 2021 (October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021), the United States detained about 1.7 million illegal immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, and the number of border arrests soared to an all-time high.
Between 2012 and 2020, the average number of arrests at the U.S.-Mexico border was about 540,000. The number of arrests in 2021 is more than three times that of them.
On October 23, a large number of migrants broke through the Mexican police blockade and ran at full speed.
According to The New York Times, two House Republicans sent a letter to Mayorcas this week asking him to respond to changes in law enforcement priorities.
Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona criticized the new approach as an "insult to the rule of law." "The Biden administration should not stop ICE from enforcing the law, but authorize them to maintain the security of our country."
It's unclear whether ice's ordinary officials, many of whom support the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration, will comply with the new policy. Another legal source said, "ICE and CBP have publicly and blatantly defied instructions in the past. ”
Meanwhile, Congress is at a stalemate over providing a legalization pathway for illegal immigrants. The Biden administration has been sharply criticized by immigration activists who have been disappointed that Biden's campaign promises have not made progress.
In recent weeks, migrants and their allies have been holding demonstrations across the country to pressure Democrats.
This article is an exclusive manuscript of the Observer Network and may not be reproduced without authorization.