U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is making more arrests of detained noncitizens while Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is arresting fewer, according to a new report that sheds light on the evolving dynamics of immigration enforcement in fiscal year 2024. This shift aligns with the Biden administration’s ongoing efforts to restrict asylum access at the U.S.-Mexico border.
ICE Arresting More Detained Noncitizens : Rising Arrests by ICE
The report, released Friday by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), reveals that the percentage of detainees arrested by ICE has risen significantly, from 27% to 37% of the detainee population over the course of fiscal year 2024. Conversely, the share of detainees arrested by CBP has dropped from 73% at the start of the fiscal year to 63%, reflecting a notable decline in CBP’s arrest activity.
Changes in Detention Programs
Another key finding of the report is the substantial decrease in the number of individuals enrolled in ICE’s Alternative to Detention (ATD) program. As of August 10, the program had 174,676 enrollees, a steep drop from its peak of 378,000 in December 2022. This decline may be indicative of broader changes in ICE’s detention and enforcement strategies.
ICE Arresting More Detained Noncitizens : Impact of Biden’s Border Policies
The increase in ICE arrests coincides with a June directive from President Joe Biden, which temporarily halted the entry of noncitizens at the southern border and barred asylum claims from those crossing illegally. This policy shift has been controversial, drawing criticism and legal challenges from immigrant rights groups who argue that it violates U.S. asylum law. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has been particularly vocal, expressing concern that the policy undermines protections for vulnerable populations seeking refuge.
The Criminal Record of Detainees
The TRAC report also highlights that about 59% of individuals held in ICE detention have no criminal record, and many of those who do have only minor offenses, such as traffic violations. This statistic raises questions about the criteria ICE uses to prioritize detentions and arrests, and it could fuel further debate about the agency’s role in immigration enforcement.
A Shifting Landscape in Immigration Enforcement
The data from the TRAC report underscores a significant shift in the landscape of immigration enforcement under the Biden administration, with ICE arresting more detained noncitizens as part of a broader strategy to manage border crossings and asylum claims. As these trends continue to evolve, they are likely to remain at the center of the ongoing debate over U.S. immigration policy.
