US immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) acting director Todd Lyons has said that anyone found living in the US illegally will be arrested. In an exclusive interview with CBS news, Lyons also confirmed a renewed crackdown on companies hiring unauthorized workers.Lyon said ICE will prioritize “the worst of the worst”- undocumented individuals with serious criminal records. But added that those without prior offences will not be exempt from arrest during immigration operations.He blamed “sanctuary” cities and states that do not cooperate with ICE for forcing agents to enter communities. “We’d prefer to arrest criminal aliens in jail, but when local agencies don’t turn them over, we have to go out into the community,” he told CBS News. This has led to a rise in so-called “collateral arrests”- individuals detained during operation even if they aren’t initial targets.Under the Biden administration, such arrests had been largely affected. But with Trump back in office, ICE’s scope has significantly widened. “We’ve opened up the whole aperture of the immigration portfolio,” said agency head Lyons, adding that deporting 1 million people a year is “possible” with the fresh infusion of federal funds.ICE has already deported nearly 150,00 individuals since January, including around 70,000 with criminal convictions. But, many of these offenses were minor- traffic violations or immigration related infractions, CBS News reported. While the administration showcases arrests involving serious crimes, ICE has drawn criticism for its tactics- including agents wearing masks, arresting asylum- seekers outside courtrooms, and conducting large scale raids at workplaces.
Worksite raids — paused under Biden — have resumed:
According to CBS News, recent operations have targeted a Nebraska meatpacking plant, a Louisiana racetrack, and California cannabis farms. Over 300 immigrants, including 10 minors, were detained in the California raids alone.Lyons emphasized that employers will also be held accountable. “It’s not a victimless crime,” he said, pointing to cases involving forced labour and child trafficking. He vowed to pursue criminal warrants against companies exploiting undocumented labour. “One hundred percent,” Lyons confirmed, when asked if ICE would act against such employers.
