The US immigration authorities have been granted the ability to arrest individuals at schools, churches, and hospitals following President Donald Trump’s administration’s reversal of policies that previously classified these locations as off-limits for enforcement.
The policy change ends more than a decade of restrictions that protected these “sensitive areas.”
The Department of Homeland Security, which controls Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, announced the adjustment in a statement, emphasising the necessity of removing areas where people could avoid capture.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.0:00 / 0:00
“The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement and instead trusts them to use common sense,” the statement said, as reported by foreign media platform the Guardian on Tuesday.
The new decision, issued by Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman, also reinstates the practice of expedited removal nationwide.
Under this policy, ICE is permitted to promptly remove undocumented persons who cannot establish they have resided in the United States continuously for more than two years.
The adjustments are in line with the Trump administration’s broader immigration campaign.
This week, the president signed multiple executive actions, including measures to halt the refugee system, restrict access to an app used to facilitate immigration into the United States, and increase cooperation between ICE and local governments.
As part of this plan, ICE agents will conduct countrywide operations to arrest and deport unauthorised individuals.
Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, stated in an interview that these measures would begin immediately and that ICE personnel across the country would actively enforce immigration laws.
Advocacy groups have expressed strong opposition to the proposed restrictions. The Centre for Law and Social Policy warns of serious consequences for immigrant families, especially those with US-citizen children.
The charity voiced fear that the measures will dissuade families from seeking medical care, disaster aid, and education, as well as increase the risk of children seeing traumatising contacts with immigration officials.
Religious leaders have also come out against the policy. During an inaugural prayer session, the Episcopal bishop of Washington asked the administration to be compassionate towards immigrants and disadvantaged communities.
