ICE Updates Removals Dashboard, Removals Spiked in Third Quarter of FY 2024
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is now publicly reporting data on enforcement and removal operations on a quarterly basis. The latest tranche of data is from the second and third quarters of fiscal year (FY) 2024.
The data, posted on the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) dashboard, shows that ICE removed nearly 68,000 individual noncitizens in the third quarter of FY 2024. That’s a 69 percent increase over the third quarter of FY 2023 and is nearly 1,000 more removals than the second quarter of FY 2024.
“With the public release of this enforcement data, ICE continues to demonstrate its commitment to keeping communities safe and focusing our enforcement resources on those who pose threats to public safety and national security,” said ICE Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director Patrick J. Lechleitner. “We will continue to evaluate and enhance how the agency communicates measurable data to the public.”
ERO Dashboard
The ERO dashboard displays data from FY 2021 through the third quarter of FY 2024. It tracks arrests, detention, removals, and enrollments into ICE’s Alternatives to Detention program.
It does not include removals under Title 42 Authority which ended in 2023, or removals and returns by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The data is broken down by arrests by area of responsibility, nations of origin for those arrested, criminal convictions, pending charges, and other metrics.
ICE will update the dashboard quarterly.
ERO’s Role
Enforcement and Removal Operations is charged with “managing all aspects of the immigration enforcement process, including the identification, arrest, detention and removal of noncitizens who are subject to removal or are unlawfully present in the U.S.”
Recent arrests of note include an MS-13-gang member in Massachusetts who was convicted of assault. The El Salvador national was released by local courts before ICE apprehended him.
ERO Boston also removed a Honduran national with six prior removals, and arrests for DUI, drug trafficking, and disorderly conduct.
ICE’s Incoming Leadership
Meanwhile, President Trump’s pick to lead ICE as Acting Director is Caleb Vitello, who has over 20 years’ experience at the agency and is currently Assistant Director for the Office of Firearms and Tactical Programs (OFTP) at ICE. By naming Vitello Acting Director, Senate confirmation is not immediately needed, and he can get on the job right away.
“Caleb’s exceptional leadership, extensive experience, and commitment to ICE’s mission make him an excellent choice to implement my efforts to enhance the safety and security of American communities who have been victimized by illegal alien crime,” the president-elect wrote of Vitello.
As assistant director for OFTP, Vitello oversaw the recent implementation of a body-worn camera policy that requires agents to activate the cameras during searches and seizures and when they are on active patrol or are apprehending fugitives.
