Interior enforcement refers to immigration enforcement operations conducted within the United States, away from borders, primarily by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These actions target noncitizens who violate immigration laws, such as illegal entry or visa overstays, through arrests, detentions, and removals.
How It Works
ICE agents follow specific legal authorities for arrests in public spaces, workplace checks, and detainer requests to local jails. Most interior arrests occur when local law enforcement shares fingerprints with federal databases, identifying deportable individuals in custody for pickup by ICE. Agents prioritize those with criminal convictions or prior removal orders.
State and Local Partnerships
Programs like 287(g) deputize state and local officers to perform immigration functions, including status checks and detainers, expanding federal reach through partnerships. Information sharing from local arrests aids ICE in targeting interior removals, though some jurisdictions limit cooperation over community trust concerns.
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