WASHINGTON - Today, House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.) and House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Tae Johnson expressing serious concerns over recent reports the Biden administration has instructed the agency to no longer take action against dangerous criminal gangs or those previously arrested or convicted for serious criminal offenses. The lawmakers are requesting documents and information on the implementation of the new policy and the agency’s ability to protect Americans from dangerous criminal aliens the Biden Administration is allowing to remain in the United States.
“We have serious concerns about recent media reports that under the Biden Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will no longer aggressively enforce the immigration laws of the United States in the interior of the country," wrote the lawmakers. “These reckless changes-allowing criminal aliens to remain in our communities-place Americans at risk and will undoubtedly lead to many preventable crimes."
Under a strict interpretation of this memorandum, individuals who entered the country prior to Nov. 1, 2020 are not priorities for arrest and removal from the United States. Individuals affiliated with criminal gangs, aggravated felons released prior to Jan. 20, 2021, and those convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are also not priorities under the new policy. Ranking Members Comer and Jordan also raise concerns that the memorandum is causing confusion at the agency, citing an instance where ICE almost permitted the release of three dangerous convicted sex offenders who preyed on children in Texas.
Ranking Members Comer and Jordan concluded, “We are concerned that despite ICE being the agency charged with ‘[s]ecuring our nation’s borders and safeguarding the integrity of our immigration system’ these Biden Administration policy changes will prevent ICE from protecting the American people."
Read the full letter here.
