Trump Authorizes ICE to Expedite Deportation of 1.4 Million Migrants Admitted Under Biden Programs, ICE Arrests in Boston

Jan 24, 2025, 03:14 PM

The Trump administration has authorized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to expedite the deportation of migrants who entered the U.S. under temporary programs implemented during the Biden administration, according to an internal memo obtained by The New York Times. The memo, signed by the acting head of the Department of Homeland Security, provides ICE officers with guidelines on using broad powers previously reserved for encounters at the southern border. It targets migrants who entered through two specific Biden-era initiatives: the CBP One app, which allowed migrants to schedule appointments for entry, and a program that permitted entry for certain migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Haiti. These programs, which have facilitated the entry of over 1.4 million people, were part of Biden's strategy to manage illegal entries by offering legal pathways. The decision reflects President Trump's intention to intensify immigration enforcement, potentially affecting not only those who crossed the border illegally but also those who used legal entry methods established by the previous administration. Additionally, ICE has conducted arrests in Boston targeting undocumented individuals with criminal histories.