ICE, immigrants and family separation: key terms to understand the migratory debate in the US

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trumpon his return to the presidency of USAsigned a series of executive orders aimed at deeply reforming the country’s migratory system. Among the most controversial measures are The temporary suspension of refugee entry, the prohibition of requesting asylum at US borders and the refusal to issue official documentsas Passports and Birth Certificatesto children of immigrants in an irregular situation or with temporary permits. In addition, the Immigration and Customs Control Service (ICE) He received instructions to increase express deportations and reinforce surveillance in communities with high presence of immigrants, expanding the use of biometric databases to identify people without legal status.

These actions have generated an immediate legal response. January 21, 18 states filed demands to block the executive order that defies the right of citizenship by birtha principle protected by Amendment 14 of the US Constitution. The measures have intensified migratory debate, a historically polarizing theme in American society.

According to The conversationthese decisions revive the discussion about terminology and legal categories linked to immigration. To better understand this complex panorama, it is essential to clarify the key concepts that define the current debate.

The United States Immigration and Customs Control Service (ICE) is a federal agency that operates under the National Security Department (DHS) and is responsible for enforcing immigration laws within the US territory. ICE was created in 2003 after the attacks of September 11, 2001, as part of a government restructuring focused on national security.

The agency has two main divisions:

• Enforcement and Removal Operations (Ero): Supervises the detention, imprisonment and deportation of immigrants found in the country without legal authorization. It also performs operations to arrest people with slope deportation orders.
• Homeland Security Research (HSI): Investigate crimes related to immigration, such as human trafficking, drug trafficking and migrant smuggling.

ICE has been one of the most controversial agencies in the migratory debate, especially for its role in the detention and deportation of immigrants. Their operations have been Object of criticism by human rights defendersthat denounce inadequate conditions in detention centers and practices such as raids in immigrant communities. During the new presidential administration, ICEHA intensified its operations, while in the administration of Joe Biden It was attempted to prioritize the deportation of individuals with a serious criminal record.

Despite the controversies, ICE remains a key piece in the immigration policy of the United States and in the application of immigration laws in the country.

A Migrant It is anyone who moves from their place of origin to another, either within their own country or crossing international borders. According to The conversationthere are various categories:

• Internal displaced: Forced people to move within their country due to armed conflicts, natural disasters or other crises.
• International migrants: Those who cross national borders, sometimes without adequate legal documentation.
• Seasonal or circular migrants: individuals who move periodically, generally for work reasons, and return to their place of origin after specific seasons.

It is estimated that between 30% and 60% of migrants eventually return to their countries of origin. Migration opportunities vary depending on the country of origin, since migratory policies and legal barriers unequally affect different nationalities.

The term immigrant refers specifically to people who They are established in a country other than their birth. In the United States, immigrants can have various legal status:

• Permanent residents (Green Card): They allow to live and work legally in the country, with the option of requesting citizens after meeting certain requirements.

• Visa T: For victims of human trafficking, it allows a stay of up to four years and the possibility of requesting permanent residence.
• Visa U: destined for victims of serious crimes, with conditions similar to Visa T.
• H-1B visa: for professionals hired by US companies.
• Visa F-1: For international students, who must return to their country after graduating, except exceptions such as labor sponsorship or marriage to an American citizen.

These categories reflect the complexity of the migratory system, which regulates both the entrance and the permanence of immigrants in the country.

The terms undocumented immigrants, unauthorized immigrants and illegal immigrants describe people residing in the United States Without the required documentation. This includes both those who crossed the border without permission and those who entered with a valid visa, but remained beyond their expiration date.

Many of these immigrants work in the informal economy or use false documents to quote the tax system. According to The conversationin 2022, immigrants without legal authorization spent more than 254,000 million dollarscontributing significantly to the US economy, despite its irregular status.

The Asylum seekers and the refugees They share the need to escape danger situations, but their legal processes differ.

• Asylum seekers: They present their application in an entry port or already being in US territory. They must demonstrate that they face persecution for political, religious, ethnic or belonging to a vulnerable group. The process may take years, during which they have the right to remain in the country until a judge decides their case.
• Refugees: They request their relocation from abroad, generally fleeing armed conflicts. The administration of Joe Biden established an annual limit of 125,000 refugees admitted. Refugees can work legally from your arrival and request permanent residence After a year.

Studies indicate that refugees achieve economic self -sufficiency quickly and contribute positively to the country’s economy.

One of the most sensitive aspects of the migration crisis is that of unaccompanied childrenminors entering the United States Without a legal tutor. Classified as a vulnerable group, these minors They can request permanence in the country. In most cases, they have relatives who assume their care.

The Family separation It was a policy implemented during the first Trump administration, which resulted in the separation of more than 4,000 children from their parents on the border. Although the Biden administration tried to gather these families, more than 1,400 children were still separated in May 2024, according to The conversation.

The Immigrant arrest It is a common practice to retain people without authorization while waiting for their deportation or a judicial decision. The detention centers, managed by the Government or by private companies, operate with conditions similar to those of a prison.

Many immigrants are initially taken to facilities known as “HIELERAS”due to their low extreme temperatures and precarious conditions, where aluminum thermal blankets are provided.

The term coyotealso known as Pollerosrefers to people who, in exchange for money, transfer migrants through the border with the aim of evading the controls of the authorities. The hardening of border policies and increased surveillance have caused people traffickers to charge migrants more with that pretext, in addition to becoming a more dangerous tripsince the routes used involve greater risks, such as cross inhospitable desert areas, face extreme conditions and expose themselves to the violence of other criminal networks.

On the other hand, several government agencies play a crucial role in immigration management:

• DHS (National Security Department): Supervises immigration policy in general.
• CBP (customs and border protection): Control border and customs traffic.
• Border Patrol: Responsible for surveillance and safety at terrestrial borders.
• ICE (Immigration and Customs Control): Focused on the detention and deportation of immigrants within the US territory.
• HHS (Department of Health and Human Services): in charge of the care of unaccompanied minors.

• Migrant: person who moves from their place of origin to another, inside or outside their country.
• Immigrant: Individual that is established in a country different from his birth.
• Undocumented/unauthorized/illegal immigrants: people residing in a country without the required legal documentation.
• Asylum seekers: individuals seeking protection in another country due to persecution or danger in their place of origin.
• Refugees: People requesting protection from abroad, generally due to conflicts or persecutions.
• Unaccompanied children: minors entering a country without the company of a legal tutor.
• Family separation: policy that implies the separation of minors from their families in migratory contexts.
• Immigrant detention: Practice of retaining immigrants without legal authorization in special centers.
• ICE: Agency in charge of the detention and deportation of immigrants in the US.
• Coyote: Person who facilitates the illegal crossing of migrants in exchange for money.

The migratory debate in the United States continues to be a central issue on the political agenda, with deep implications legal and humanitarian.