The Government of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, gave way this Tuesday (01/22/2025) to immigration raids in places previously considered “protected” such as schools, churches and hospitals.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked a directive from the Joe Biden Administration that instructed immigration authorities to avoid raids in or near these locations.
The Government alleges that this Tuesday’s decision “empowers” immigration agents to “follow the laws” and capture what they call “foreign criminals,” according to a DHS spokesperson in a statement.
“This action empowers the brave men and women of CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens, murderers and rapists, who have entered our country illegally,” DHS said.
These criminals, according to the DHS, “hide in schools and churches” in the United States to evade arrest.
The department said Acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued the directive on Monday.
ICE guidelines date back to 2011. Customs and Border Protection issued similar guidelines in 2013.
A campaign promise from the tycoon
The decision comes a day after Trump took office and emphasized that he will fulfill his campaign promise to carry out the largest campaign of migrant deportations in US history.
The directive that was revoked was issued by the Biden administration in 2021 and prohibited immigration agents from carrying out arrests or raids in some locations without approval from a superior.
“Protected sites” included educational centers, health centers, places of worship, shelters for victims of domestic violence, funerals, demonstrations or relief centers after a natural disaster.
The idea of the measure, according to the 2021 memorandum, was to prevent foreign people from being reluctant to attend places where essential services are offered.
“We can accomplish our mission without denying or limiting individuals’ access to food, shelter, or faith,” the document states.
jc (efe, ap)
