The acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Todd Lyons, has declared that his agency's officers will detain any individual found to be living illegally in the United States, regardless of their criminal history. In an interview with CBS News, Lyons emphasized that while ICE resources will continue to prioritize detaining immigrants with serious criminal backgrounds, "collateral arrests" will also be frequent due to the challenges posed by sanctuary cities that hinder cooperation with law enforcement.
“If we encounter someone here illegally, we will take them into custody,” Lyons stated. Appearing on Face the Nation, he expressed frustration at not being able to focus solely on criminals already in custody. “I would prefer to concentrate on those cases, but local policies force us into communities, leading to an increase in collateral arrests,” he explained.
Lyons reiterated that ICE will persist in enforcing workplace immigration laws and affirmed that there is no prohibition on such actions. He assured that the agency will hold accountable businesses that hire and exploit undocumented labor, stating, “This is not a victimless crime. Investigations uncover cases of forced labor and human trafficking.”
“We are not just targeting individuals working here illegally, but also the American companies exploiting these workers, these people who came here seeking a better life,” Lyons elaborated. When asked to confirm whether ICE plans to hold those who employ undocumented immigrants accountable, Lyons replied, “We are 100% going after businesses that hire illegally, not just the workers.”
Since Donald Trump's return to the presidency in January, his administration has reversed the previous government's restrictions. The current goal is clear: one million deportations per year, with ICE receiving substantial funding to achieve this objective. While the administration highlights the capture of individuals convicted of violent crimes, official data indicates that many recent deportations have been for minor immigration infractions or traffic offenses.
The escalating immigration policies and extensive arrest campaign have sparked concern among immigrant communities, human rights advocates, and business sectors, who fear unjust reprisals or secondary economic impacts.
Key Concerns About U.S. Immigration Policies
What is ICE's stance on detaining undocumented immigrants without criminal records?
ICE, under the leadership of Todd Lyons, has stated they will detain any undocumented immigrant in the U.S., regardless of whether they have a criminal record.
How has the return of Donald Trump affected U.S. immigration policies?
Following Donald Trump's return to the presidency, his administration has rolled back previous restrictions, with an aim to achieve one million deportations per year.
What are the implications of ICE's workplace immigration law enforcement?
ICE's enforcement of workplace immigration laws aims to hold accountable both undocumented workers and the businesses that exploit them, addressing issues like forced labor and human trafficking.