In a recent enforcement operation spanning 25 major cities, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended 171 unauthorized noncitizens with diverse criminal backgrounds, including offenses such as murder, homicide, and assault against children, as announced by the agency on Thursday.
ICE Acting Director Patrick J. Lechleitner addressed reporters, emphasizing the removal of “very bad individuals” from the streets. Over 100 sex offenders were among those arrested, and all individuals will undergo immigration proceedings for deportation.
The Biden administration has faced criticism from Republicans for altering immigration enforcement priorities. The focus now shifts from illegal border crossings alone to prioritizing recent border crossers and individuals with criminal records. Lechleitner defended the approach, stating that ICE operates as an intelligence-led organization, targeting individuals based on their priorities.
Daniel Bible, the head of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, mentioned efforts to incorporate new technology to streamline the immigration adjudication process for migrants apprehended at the border. He acknowledged challenges in high-volume cities like New York and Miami but highlighted the agency’s commitment to leveraging technology for efficiency.
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According to ICE, 73,822 noncitizens with criminal records were arrested last year. However, officials assert the need for additional resources to sustain their efforts in addressing the full spectrum of criminal noncitizens.
