President Donald Trump’s administration reversed laws that previously designated schools, churches, and hospitals as off-limits to enforcement, allowing U.S. immigration agents to make arrests at these locations.
The policy move lifts restrictions that had safeguarded these “sensitive areas” for over ten years.
A statement from the Department of Homeland Security, which is in charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, announced the adjustment and emphasised how crucial it is to remove areas where people could avoid being arrested.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.
“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 the Guardian on Tuesday.
Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued the new policy, which also restores the use of expedited removal across the country.
This policy gives ICE the authority to swiftly deport illegal people who are unable to provide proof that they have lived in the country continuously for longer than two years.
The modifications are in line with the Trump administration’s larger immigration campaign.
The president signed a number of executive actions this week, including ones to halt the refugee system, prevent access to an app that helps people enter the US, and improve collaboration between ICE and local governments.
ICE agents will carry out countrywide operations to apprehend and deport unauthorised persons as part of this campaign.
In an interview, Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, affirmed that these actions would start right away and that immigration rules would be actively enforced by ICE officers nationwide.
Strong criticism to the new policies has been expressed by advocacy groups. There will be serious consequences for immigrant families, especially those with children who are US citizens, the Centre for Law and Social Policy said.
The group voiced worries that the modifications may discourage families from obtaining healthcare, disaster assistance, and education, and that they might make it more likely for kids to witness stressful interactions with immigration officers. Religious authorities have also voiced their opposition to the policy.
The Episcopal bishop of Washington urged the government to be compassionate towards immigrants and vulnerable groups in a sermon during an inaugural prayer session.