(Washington, DC) – The Biden administration is currently urging sanctuary cities to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the deportation of criminal illegal migrants, marking a shift from prior policies. Despite earlier actions like the closure of ICE detention facilities and the rollback of Trump-era law enforcement grants, the administration is now seeking cooperation with sanctuary cities following a series of high-profile murders allegedly committed by illegal aliens.
Notably, the administration’s recent stance contrasts with previous decisions, such as terminating contracts with several detention facilities across the U.S., including the California Yuba County Jail, Georgia Irwin County Detention Center, Pennsylvania Berks County Residential Center, and Massachusetts C. Carlos Carreiro Immigration Detention Center.
President Biden initially used executive actions to overturn immigration laws implemented by former President Trump, including deportation initiatives, the Muslim travel ban, and border wall construction. Additionally, a Trump-era policy that cut grant funding to sanctuary cities was rescinded, with funding restored and the requirement to collaborate with ICE removed.
The Biden administration has highlighted the overcrowding and overcapacity issues in ICE detention facilities, currently accommodating around 40,000 beds. Seeking a bipartisan Senate agreement to increase capacity to 50,000 beds, President Biden has urged Congress to approve a border security package, warning of potential resource shortages if not passed.
Despite these pleas for legislative support, President Biden has been privately considering executive options to address border security. Recent incidents, including the murder of a Georgia nursing student and violent crimes committed by illegal migrants, have sparked concerns. Notably, illegal immigration has surged under the Biden administration, with Border Patrol reporting over 2.2 million migrant encounters at the southern border in fiscal year 2022, up from 1.7 million in 2021, according to Customs and Border Protection data.
