Lack Of Interagency Cooperation Hindered Immigration Policies, Says GAO
In March 2021, U.S. Border Patrol established a new process to reduce agents’ administrative processing times by releasing noncitizen family units without Notices to Appear (NTA). Instead, Border Patrol gave families a Notice to Report (NTR) to their local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office.
ICE to Improve Detention Alternative Program, Contractor Oversight After GAO Probe
A report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO found improvement areas for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in program evaluation and contractor oversight
ICE Removes Salvadoran National, Material Supporter of Undesignated Terrorist Body
This week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reinstated a previously issued removal order dated September 2017 for Guzman Moreno, age 62.
Judge Blocks DHS Guidance On Discretion in Deportation Decisions
A federal judge has enjoined the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from enforcing a deportation prioritization directive to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Biden Nominees for Key DHS Posts Advance
President Biden’s nominees to fill key roles within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are advancing in the Senate. The Senate confirmed Ur Jaddou as the new director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on July 30 on a 47-34 party-line vote.
Nominee to Lead ICE Addresses Concerns of Republican Senators During Nomination Hearing
Harris County, TX Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, President Biden’s pick to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), appeared before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs in a July 15, 2021 hearing to field questions about his suitability for the role.
ICE Issues New Policy on Detention of Pregnant, Postpartum, and Nursing Individuals
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a new policy directive regarding the identification, detention, monitoring, and use of restraints against persons who are pregnant, postpartum, or nursing. Generally, the directive notes that ICE should not detain, arrest, or take into custody individuals who are pregnant, postpartum, or nursing for administrative immigration violations “unless release is prohibited by law or exceptional circumstances exist.”
President Biden Nominates Leaders for DHS Components
On April 12, 2021, President Joe Biden announced his nominations to fill top posts in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The administration has also made changes to the DHS advisory board as pressure builds to handle the influx of migrants to the southern border.
First Circuit: Warrant or Reasonable Suspicion Not Needed for Basic Border Searches of Electronic Devices
Plaintiffs, ten U.S. citizens and one lawful permanent resident, brought suit against the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Kirstjen Nielsen, Acting Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Kevin McAleenan, and Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Thomas Homan, alleging that certain CBP and ICE policies and practices violated their Fourth Amendment rights.
ICE HSI Leads Collaborative Effort to Take Down MS-13 Gang Members
From the Oval Office last week, President Donald J. Trump announced the conclusion of a multi-year investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) that led to the takedown of 17 members of the MS-13 gang. These arrests took place in Las Vegas and Los Angeles with the assistance of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). During this bust, HSI seized five pounds of methamphetamine, $28,000 in cash, and 14 firearms. Gang members were charged on 21 counts, including a violation of the Kingpin statute and transporting large quantities of methamphetamine from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.