The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, appears poised to institute stricter policies towards undocumented immigrants residing in and hoping to enter the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, appears poised to institute stricter policies towards undocumented immigrants residing in and hoping to enter the U.S.
According to McClatchy, DHS Secretary John Kelly has reportedly drafted two memos which outline the proposed guidelines for agency heads.
One of them, posted online by the news outlet, states, “The Department no longer will exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement.”
As such, Kelly says, “I have directed ICE to hire 10,000 officers and agents expeditiously, and to take enforcement actions consistent with available resources.”
He goes on to add that removals should be prioritized, in his words, “to maximize the benefit to public safety, to stem unlawful migration and to prevent fraud and misrepresentation.”
According to Kelly, such issues include those related to criminal offenses, willful misrepresentation, and the abuse of public benefits programs, among others; however, he does note that immigration officers would have some discretion to act if the person poses “a risk to public safety or national security.”
CNN also notes, “The guidance will tighten immigration laws on asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors entering the country and could send individuals awaiting immigration proceedings in the United States back to Mexico.”
Officials have reportedly indicated that the orders have not been finalized nor have they been approved by the White House, but they are in a more advanced draft stage.
These policies are largely in line with President Trump’s plan to crack down on the millions of undocumented immigrants believed to be in the U.S.
