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The release of the shocking ICE data as of July 21, 2024, comes as Kamala Harris visits the US Mexico border for the 2nd time as Vice President. 

The numbers have increased rapidly during the Biden-Harris administration due to the large number of immigrants coming in illegally, and the low deportation numbers. Implementation of the new Catch and Release policy has also played a part.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) report presents a troubling picture of the current state of immigration enforcement in the United States.

It also reveals the startling extent to which criminal illegal aliens remain free within American communities.

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ICE Data

According to the ICE report, nearly 650,000 criminal illegal aliens are currently on ICE’s Non-Detained Docket (NDD), meaning these individuals are not in custody and are free to reside within communities across the United States. 

This number does not include the large number of criminal aliens who evaded capture when they initially entered the country, nor those who lack papers or identification for ICE to verify their status.

The data offers a breakdown of criminal offenses associated with people crossing the border.

• Homicide: 14,944
• Sexual Assault: 20,061
• Assault: 105,146
• Burglary/Larceny/Robbery: 60,268
• Traffic Offenses: 126,343
• Gun Offenses: 16,820
• Kidnapping: 3,372
• Commercialized Sexual Offenses (Trafficking): 3,971

These numbers are deeply concerning, highlighting the severity of the criminal backgrounds of those released from ICE custody. A top ICE official confirmed that hundreds of thousands of migrants with criminal convictions are currently on the agency's non-detained docket, which includes individuals with final deportation orders or those awaiting immigration court hearings.

Catch and Release Policy

In a letter to Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX), ICE Deputy Director Patrick Lechleitner confirmed that 425,431 individuals with criminal convictions are on the non-detained docket. And 222,141 people with pending criminal charges.

 In response to this data, Representative Gonzales described the numbers as "astronomical," while House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Representative Mark Green (R-TN) called the figures "shocking."

Other experts have pointed out that the ICE data spans decades and is not solely reflective of recent policies.

 Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, noted that many individuals on the non-detained docket have lived in the U.S. for decades.

These numbers have not been adjusted for a number of people that may have been arrested for crimes committed here.

 Alex Nowrasteh of the Cato Institute also emphasized that some of the criminal convictions listed in the report include cases going back many years.

Despite these perspectives, the scale of the problem remains alarming. 

A statement from Mark Green said, "It may be shocking to hear that the Biden-Harris administration is actively releasing tens of thousands of criminal illegal aliens into our communities, but their own numbers conclusively prove this to be the case. This defies all common sense."

Lechleitner clarified that while ICE is required by law to hold certain noncitizens during deportation proceedings, most individuals convicted of homicide are ineligible for release.

Crisis by Design

The Biden-Harris administration is facing criticism for having one of the lowest deportation rates in 30 years. 

A recent report titled "Crisis by Design" from the House Committee on Homeland Security highlights the challenges faced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in vetting illegal aliens entering the country. Former Border Patrol Chief Rodney Scott described the vetting process under the current administration as a "check-the-box exercise."

Between fiscal years 2021 and 2024, the Border Patrol made more than 53,000 arrests of illegal aliens with criminal backgrounds—30,000 more than during fiscal years 2017 through 2020. 

In October 2023 alone, the Border Patrol was apprehending over 47 individuals per day with serious criminal histories. Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Dustin Caudle from the Yuma Sector also noted that the agency encounters people who have committed almost every crime imaginable.

Border Visits 

The release of the ICE data coincides with Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona. 

During her brief visit, she spent around 12 minutes speaking with border patrol officials. 

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Harris wrote, "President Biden and I supported the toughest and fairest set of bipartisan border security reforms in decades. Congressional Republicans voted against them—twice." 

She also claimed that unlawful border crossings are now lower than when she and President Biden took office. This does not match the data submitted during that time period.

This visit marks Harris' second trip to the border since 2021, when she was designated as the administration’s "border czar." 

The Democratic Party is currently trailing Republicans on immigration issues, with polls earlier this year showing former President Donald Trump holding a 35-point lead over President Biden on border security. 

While a more recent poll indicated that this lead had shrunk to 21 points, Harris still holds a 28-point lead over Trump on the issue of protecting immigrant rights.