Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are launching a new nationwide initiative to arrest illegal immigrants immediately after asylum hearings in courthouses. The strategy targets individuals who have overstayed in the United States for under two years, aiming to drop immigration cases and expedite their deportation. This effort, part of a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plan, is designed to fast-track removal without lengthy hearings, though immigration judges are reportedly cooperating in dismissing cases. Critics argue this could deter migrants from attending hearings and may disproportionately impact those attempting to follow legal procedures.
The initiative has sparked controversy, with migrants being discouraged from attending asylum hearings due to the potential for immediate arrest. Social media videos show ICE agents carrying out arrests in various courthouses across the country. DHS officials claim that the policy is rooted in restoring the rule of law and reversing Biden’s catch-and-release policies, which they argue allowed unvetted individuals into the U.S. However, critics, including immigration attorneys, claim the policy targets individuals who are attempting to follow legal procedures, potentially undermining the asylum process and putting legal asylum seekers at risk.
Immigration attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch argues that the new DHS effort is a scheme to boost apprehension numbers under the Trump administration. She believes the initiative is not targeting the most dangerous or criminal individuals but rather those who are attempting to go through the legal citizenship process. Meanwhile, Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett suggests that the likelihood of judicial interference is minimal, as most immigration hearings are conducted in federal courthouses where judges are employees of the Justice Department. However, concerns remain about the impact on asylum seekers, particularly those with no criminal histories but who are simply seeking legal protection.
Recent data from the DHS indicates a significant decline in border apprehensions since President Donald Trump’s administration, with over 158,000 illegal aliens arrested in 2025 alone. The administration highlights that 75% of these arrests involved individuals with convictions or pending charges, suggesting a focus on those deemed the worst of the worst. Nonetheless, legal experts and advocacy groups continue to raise concerns about the potential consequences for asylum seekers and the broader impact on the immigration system. The situation is expected to remain a contentious point in national policy discussions, particularly as it relates to the balance between immigration enforcement and legal protections for migrants seeking asylum.