ICE Faces Shakeup as Arrests Lag Under Trump Administration

UPDATE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is facing a significant shakeup as the Trump administration expresses frustration over lagging arrests of undocumented immigrants. A new report from the New York Times reveals that regional ICE officials are being pressured to account for their declining arrest numbers, creating a “culture of fear” within the agency.

According to former senior ICE official Claire Trickler-McNulty, officials are “under constant threat” as the administration sets ambitious goals, including 600,000 deportations by the end of Trump’s first year in his second term. Arrest rates have plummeted from the targeted 3,000 immigrants per day, as demanded by Trump advisor Stephen Miller, to just over 1,000 daily.

The report paints a troubling picture of internal turmoil at ICE, with Trickler-McNulty stating, “There has been so much shuffling of deck chairs — I can’t imagine anyone even having the ability to take on real challenges.” As ICE struggles to meet its targets, Border Patrol has been taking a more active role in immigration enforcement, conducting operations at large retailers and residential complexes, including a notable sweep at an apartment complex in Chicago.

The situation is dire, with increasing funding failing to translate into results, leading to growing discontent within the agency. Officials are scrambling to meet the President’s demands for heightened immigration crackdowns, which remain central to his political agenda.

As this situation develops, all eyes are on ICE and the Trump administration’s next moves. The pressure to deliver on these deportation goals is mounting, and the impact on ICE personnel and their operations could be profound.

Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story.