US administration mandates surge in daily migrant arrests
The US administration, dissatisfied with current results, has ordered the immigration service, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), to increase daily arrests of migrants to around 1,500, from the 300 typical of the Biden era. "The Washington Post" reports that the new standards could lead to the detention of people without a criminal record.
According to reports, each ICE field office is to make 75 arrests daily, which is expected to result in 1,500 detentions nationwide. Failure to meet the quota could result in consequences for office heads.
Trump is reportedly "disappointed"
The order is reportedly due to Trump's disappointment with the results of the service's actions so far, as the number of arrests in the first days of the new presidency - around 300 arrests per day - was similar to the numbers recorded during Joe Biden's term.
Operations launched in Chicago
Former ICE head, Tom Homan, in an interview with ABC News, emphasised that the administration is in the initial phase of deportations, and activities will expand. The priority is public safety threats, but the number of arrests will increase. ICE announced "enhanced targeted operations" in Chicago, in cooperation with the FBI.
The Department of Homeland Security has lifted guidelines prohibiting the detention of migrants around "sensitive areas," such as churches or schools.
This move has met with criticism, including from the American Episcopate. Vice President JD Vance, in an interview with CBS, expressed disappointment with the bishops' criticism, suggesting they are motivated by financial considerations.
- I think that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops needs to actually look in the mirror a little bit and recognise that when they receive over $100 million (95 million euros) to help resettle illegal immigrants, are they worried about humanitarian concerns? Or are they actually worried about their bottom line? - asked the vice president.
