Trump Administration presses ICE to increase daily immigration arrests
Trump Administration presses ICE to increase daily immigration arrests
Senior U.S. immigration officials have directed field officers to intensify arrests, including of individuals not originally targeted, referred to as “collaterals,” according to internal emails obtained by The Guardian.
The guidance, sent over the weekend by top Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, encouraged agents to increase apprehensions and “turn the creative knob up to 11,” pushing for arrests even without prior warrants.
Acting ICE enforcement chief Marcos Charles urged officers to detain any undocumented individuals encountered during operations, regardless of whether they were named in warrants. Another official, Francisco Madrigal, echoed the call, stating, “If it involves handcuffs on wrists, it’s probably worth pursuing.”
The push follows pressure from senior Trump administration figures, including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, to reach arrest targets of 3,000 per day.
The practice of collateral arrests—detaining bystanders during targeted operations—has drawn concern from legal experts. Critics argue it may bypass legal safeguards, especially after the expiration of a 2022 court settlement requiring warrants or documented probable cause.
Human rights groups warn the expanded enforcement could lead to civil liberties violations and indiscriminate targeting. The Department of Homeland Security maintains the effort focuses on enforcing immigration laws and removing individuals unlawfully present in the U.S.
