Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has revealed a startling statistic that has raised concerns about public safety and immigration policies in the United States.
According to NBC News, ICE disclosed to Congress that over 13,000 immigrants with homicide convictions are currently living outside of immigration detention facilities in the United States.
This information, provided by Acting ICE Director P.J. Lechleitner, was in response to a request from Republican Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas.
The data collected as of July 21, 2024, indicates that these individuals are part of ICE's "non-detained" docket. This means that while ICE has some information about them and they have pending immigration cases, they are not currently in custody for various reasons, including not being prioritized for detention, serving time in other correctional facilities, or simply being unlocatable.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has emphasized that this data spans several decades and administrations. A DHS spokesman clarified that the information covers entries into the country over the past 40 years or more, with the majority of custody determinations made long before the current administration.
It's important to note that the number of non-detained immigrants with criminal convictions has grown over time. A 2016 DHS Inspector General's report identified 368,000 criminal immigrants not detained by ICE. By June 2021, this number had increased to 405,786, and as of July 2024, it stands at 435,719.
Law enforcement officials familiar with the data have pointed out that many of these migrants, including those with serious criminal records, entered the U.S. during previous administrations, including that of former President Donald Trump.
ICE faces significant challenges in managing this population. The agency's limited resources constrain its ability to locate and arrest all individuals prioritized for detention. With over 7.5 million immigrants on the non-detained docket, ICE must prioritize cases involving serious crimes like homicide.
Several factors contribute to the complexity of this issue. In some instances, migrants may cross the border and be released because Border Patrol lacks information about their criminal history. Additionally, sanctuary city policies in some jurisdictions can result in the release of convicted criminals without ICE notification, making it difficult for the agency to locate and detain these individuals.
ICE agents have described the process of locating and arresting convicted criminals living at large as labor-intensive and resource-demanding. This highlights the need for improved coordination between local, state, and federal agencies to address this issue effectively.
The release of this data has sparked political reactions and debates about immigration policies. Former President Donald Trump referenced the statistics during a campaign stop in Michigan, using them to criticize current immigration policies.
A DHS spokesman stated:
The data in this letter is being misinterpreted. The data goes back decades; it includes people who entered the country over the past 40 year or more, the vast majority of whose custody determination was made long before this administration. It also includes many who are under the jurisdiction or currently incarcerated by federal, state or local law enforcement partners.
ICE has reported that over 13,000 immigrants convicted of homicide are living outside of immigration detention in the United States. This data, spanning several decades and administrations, highlights the challenges faced by immigration authorities in managing individuals with serious criminal convictions. The issue underscores the need for improved coordination between local, state, and federal agencies to address public safety concerns effectively while navigating complex immigration policies.
