Practice Alert: Targeted ICE Enforcement Actions are Underway
AILA has received information that ICE has once again commenced targeted enforcement actions by reinstituting "Operation Cross Check." The operation is focused on three populations:
- Fugitives - Anyone with an outstanding order of removal;
- Individuals who reentered after they were deported. No need for criminal conviction related to reentry to be targeted;
- At large "criminal aliens" - Anyone with any criminal conviction.
It also appears that other individuals who are identified in the course of an Operation Crosscheck action against a specific person may also be picked up if they fall within the broader enforcement priorities outlined in the Executive Order. Note that the new priorities are so broad that any undocumented individual could be deemed a priority.
At this point it is unclear how many cities or localities are being targeted though anecdotal reports indicate Los Angeles, Atlanta, Austin, and areas of Kansas may be implicated.
Note: Though enforcement priorities outlined in President Trump's Executive Order on interior enforcement include anyone who was charged with an offense or committed an act that could be a chargeable offense, we understand that the current operation is focused on those who were convicted. However, any conviction (felonies, DUIs, non-violent offenses, etc.) could subject a person to enforcement.