The government of U.S. President Donald Trump has greenlit the detention of migrants in places previously considered 'protected' such as schools, churches, and hospitals. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked a directive from Joe Biden's administration that instructed immigration authorities to avoid detentions in these places or near them.
'Empowering' immigration agents to 'enforce the law' and apprehend those labeled 'criminal aliens' is the justification provided by the government, according to a DHS spokesperson in a statement. Furthermore, the text claims that there are 'criminals' who are 'hiding in schools and churches' in the United States to evade arrest.
On his first day in office, Donald Trump declared a 'national emergency' at the U.S.-Mexico border and paved the way for his promise of mass deportations of migrants. Through several decrees signed in the Oval Office, the Republican issued a series of executive orders that shaped his promise to militarize the border, ban the entry of migrants and asylum seekers, and deport the more than 11 million people living in the U.S. without legal status.
Citing a 'national emergency,' Donald Trump authorized in a comprehensive executive order the use of military forces at the U.S.-Mexico border to 'secure' the area and repel 'forms of invasion,' including migration into the United States and drug trafficking. The order also calls for the immediate deportation of all migrants who enter the United States irregularly and reinstates the program known as 'Remain in Mexico.'
The president ended two programs created by his predecessor, Joe Biden, aimed at deterring irregular migration: the mobile application CBP One and the humanitarian permit (known as 'parole') for citizens of Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Venezuela.
The revoked directive was issued by the Biden government in 2021 and prohibited immigration agents from carrying out arrests or raids in certain places without the approval of a superior. Among the 'protected sites' were educational centers, health facilities, places of worship, shelters for victims of domestic violence, funerals, protests, or disaster relief centers. The measure aimed to prevent foreign individuals from being reluctant to access places where essential services are provided.
