The Trump administration has revoked policies that previously prohibited immigration authorities from making arrests at “sensitive areas” such as schools, churches, and hospitals, allowing US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to carry out enforcement actions in these locations.
For over a decade, ICE and CBP had been restricted from conducting arrests in such areas. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees both agencies, stated:
“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 announcement was part of two directives issued on January 21 by Benjamine Huffman, the acting secretary of DHS.
The second directive reinstates nationwide “expedited removal” procedures, enabling ICE to quickly deport undocumented individuals who cannot prove they have been in the US continuously for more than two years.
These policy changes align with the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on immigration.
On January 20, President Donald Trump signed several executive actions, including suspending the refugee system, cutting access to an app that facilitated legal entry for many migrants, and promoting closer cooperation between ICE and local governments.
Officials announced plans to immediately intensify immigration enforcement. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, revealed that ICE agents would begin nationwide operations on January 21 to arrest and deport undocumented individuals, though he did not disclose specific locations.
“They’re going to do it throughout the country. We have offices everywhere, and every ICE officer is going to be out there enforcing the law starting tomorrow morning,” Homan stated.
Advocates have raised concerns about the harmful implications of allowing arrests at sensitive locations, warning of potential impacts on vulnerable communities.
