ICE shuts down programs that provide services to illegal immigrants Claimed to have ‘enormous’ costs

special: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ended two programs that provide social services to illegal immigrants who were released into the interior of the United States. by telling lawmakers that a project has It is a “massive cost with little improvement” and another project inconsistent with ICE’s mission.

The agency responded to Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., and 15 members of Congress, who wrote a letter to ICE in May asking for more information about the program. The program is called “alternative detention,” which tracks illegal immigrants who are not in ICE detention facilities. The agency defends the program and says it is It is said to be “efficient and effective” for pursuing illegal immigrants in cases not in ICE custody.

ICE only has about 40,000 beds available at any one time. Meanwhile, there are nearly 7.7 million people with non-custodial identification documents, a number that has soared during the Biden administration. Of those, more than 181,000 are enrolled in the Alternatives to Incarceration program. Migrants will be verified by checking in via an app or GPS tracker.

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This image shows migrants at the southern border found in Arizona. (US Border Patrol)

But in the past few years The agency has also created a separate program to provide services and assistance. To those not in detention, in the letter the agency said some of those programs are ending. One service is the Wraparound Stabilization Service (WSS), which ICE said began in February 2020 and involves working with NGOs to offer “services that provide mental, social and behavioral health support for vulnerable participants and their families. their which will benefit from additional stabilization services.”

ICE said the program stopped making referrals in July. And the program doesn’t work in what it wants to do. It has a higher compliance rate of just 2% among those who participate in the service. compared to those who did not participate

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“ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) noted that the challenges with WSS are their enormous costs and little improvement,” the statement said. “As a result, ERO has determined that WSS is not cost-effective enough to Continue to pay for these services. When they do not benefit ICE or help the agency continue its mission.”

ICE has previously noted the difficulties of the project. This includes difficult identification and referral processes. Attendance increased significantly. and lack of resources

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Migrants lined up to enter a shelter set up by authorities for migrants. This is because migrants are waiting for appointments through applications at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Ciudad Juarez. Mexico on May 23, 2023 (Christian Torres Chavez/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The agency also said it decided in June not to contract resellers for the Young Adult Case Management Program (YACMP). The program provides 18- and 19-year-olds with legal services, screening, and referral services. to social service projects and human trafficking screening, starting in 2023 and appearing in 16 cities.

“Apart from financial constraints, “A review of the program revealed that YACMP was not aligned with ERO’s mission or priorities. In summary, ERO has taken steps to modify or discontinue the program to address the budget challenges facing the agency,” the agency’s letter said. .

The letter also provides information about ATD tracking operations with an app or GPS, known as the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP). ICE said 98.6% of court-tracking people appear at court hearings overall, while 90.4% appeared for final hearings as of September, 13.2% of participants were tracked with ankle or GPS wrist devices, and the average program length was 511.9 days.

Lawmakers also asked about people who were charged or convicted while enrolled in ATD. The agency said in fiscal year 2024 there were 3,913 prosecutions and 688 convictions for people in the program. This included convictions for 10 counts of sexual assault, 364 counts of traffic offences, two counts of murder, four counts of kidnapping and 65 counts of assault.

The incoming Trump administration is watching a sharp increase in deportations. with President Donald Trump promising mass deportations. “Historic times” Fox Digital also reported this month that it wanted to reduce the number of people not in quarantine. At the same time, it is increasing the use of ankle monitoring devices for people who cannot be restrained.

Conservatives responded to the information provided to lawmakers by calling on the new administration to cancel additional programs providing services for illegal immigrants.

“ICE is a law enforcement agency. Not a charity organization Billions of dollars wasted by DHS to bring millions of illegal aliens into the country. and provide them with excessive facilities. The route should be changed so that all illegal aliens can safely return to their home countries,” Lora Ries, director of the Heritage Foundation’s Center for Immigration and Security, told Fox News Digital.

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Rees calls the service “boodoggle” and says, “There are other initiatives. Many similar projects have faced the same fate under President Trump.”

“Instead of wasting taxpayer money in conflict with the mission of the agency. We should see a significant increase in resources for detaining and deporting illegal aliens. If you do not support the agency’s mission You shouldn’t be given a dime,” she said.