ICE Officers Report Orders to Minimize Arrests, DHS Denies

Anonymous Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers reportedly said they were told to stop arresting unauthorized immigrants who don't have additional criminal charges. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denied the reports on Saturday.

The Initial Report: The Daily Wire (Right bias) exclusive cited "agency sources" who spoke to the outlet "on the condition of anonymity." The sources reportedly said migrants will not be arrested if they have final deportation orders but no criminal convictions or charges. They also said "collateral arrests" will cease under the DHS directive. The Wire reported, "Several ICE officers expressed frustration with the seemingly sudden change, and one suggested it may be an attempt to gain public favor before the midterms." Additionally, it stated, "One ICE source cast doubt on whether agency leadership told [President Donald] Trump before calling off non-criminal arrests."

DHS Denial: "This is false. No one is off the table," DHS responded on X on Saturday. "We will continue to arrest any and all illegal aliens that come into our path. Anyone in our country illegally will be arrested and deported. In an effort to protect American citizens, ICE has initiated a nationwide public safety surge in sanctuary cities where our brave officers will be targeting criminal illegal aliens—many released from jails by sanctuary politicians—including murderers, rapists, child predators, and gang members."

How The Media Covered It: The Wire noted DHS' denial in its report but led with the ICE sources' claims. Newsweek (Center) and The Mirror - US (Left) led with the denial instead. All three outlets, however, highlighted the decrease in Trump's approval rating on immigration amid controversial ICE altercations – to 43% from 48% last summer, according to Fox News (Right). The Wire said public opinion is "sour[ing]" on Trump's immigration agenda, and Newsweek said it's "fallen sharply in recent months." The Mirror furthered that it "appears to be changing at a critical point in Trump's term."

RELATED: Tracking Trump's Campaign Promises on Citizenship and Deportations | AllSides

Newsweek stated that the new directive, if accurate, "would likely spark an angry reaction from a section of Trump's political base" but gave voice to Fox News congressional correspondent Bill Melugin, who concluded that the conflicting reports reflected a "miscommunication."

Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). Learn more. Support our mission. Suggest an improvement to this summary.