U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will now arrest anyone in the country without legal status—regardless of whether they have a criminal record, Acting Director Todd Lyons announced this week, marking a sweeping shift in enforcement policy under President Donald Trump’s second term.
The policy, detailed in a press briefing confirms a nationwide expansion of so-called “collateral arrests,” a term referring to undocumented immigrants who were not the original targets of enforcement but are apprehended during raids.
These arrests are expected to surge in sanctuary jurisdictions—cities and states with laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration agents.
“No one in the U.S. unlawfully is exempt from enforcement,” Lyons said.
Worksite Raids Resume
In addition to broadened arrest authority, ICE has resumed large-scale worksite raids aimed at both undocumented workers and the employers who hire them.
These raids have already resulted in hundreds of arrests at meatpacking plants, cannabis farms, and racetracks across several states. ICE says employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers will be investigated and potentially prosecuted.
“Businesses that profit from illegal labor should know that we’re coming for them, too,” Lyons warned.
1 Million Deportations “Possible,” Says ICE Chief
With newly approved funding from Congress, ICE now has the resources to execute what Lyons described as a “realistic” goal of deporting one million people within the year.
Immigration attorneys and civil rights groups say the new directives represent a return to mass deportation tactics that will impact families, workplaces, and communities—especially in cities with large immigrant populations.
“This signals a sharp escalation in enforcement tactics,” said Akua O. Aboagye, a U.S. immigration attorney. “With increased funding from Congress, ICE is now equipped to pursue even more aggressive operations in the days ahead.”
Civil Rights Concerns Mount
Advocates warn that the rollback of enforcement discretion under this policy will have far-reaching humanitarian implications, particularly for undocumented immigrants with longstanding ties to the U.S., such as parents, essential workers, and DACA recipients whose protections remain in legal limbo.
Legal observers expect a flood of new litigation and policy challenges in response to ICE’s move.
Meanwhile, communities across the country are bracing for intensified immigration sweeps.
