In a last-minute push before leaving office, the Biden administration is implementing policy changes that will loosen immigration restrictions, particularly for migrants who entered the U.S. illegally. Among the most notable of these changes is the launch of an ICE Portal app in New York City, which will allow migrants to bypass mandatory in-person check-ins with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The new system, set to roll out in December, is seen as an attempt to hinder President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to crack down on illegal immigration.
Sources within Homeland Security have raised concerns about the app’s effectiveness, citing technical glitches during pilot programs. The app doesn’t require migrants to verify their current address or check for outstanding warrants, leaving gaps in the ability of ICE to track criminal migrants. The new system would allow migrants to report their status remotely, reducing face-to-face interactions with ICE officers and potentially making it harder for law enforcement to enforce immigration laws.
🚨 How is this as a parting gift from the Biden administration?
NYPost: "Biden admin quietly loosening immigration policies before Trump takes office — including letting migrants skip ICE check-ins in NYC"
WHY? ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/73aq0prhOO
— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) November 21, 2024
The introduction of the ICE Portal app is just one part of a series of policy changes being pushed through by the Biden administration in its final days. Other changes include relaxing regulations on electronic monitoring for released migrants, such as ankle bracelets, and allowing them to challenge their monitoring status. If implemented, these changes could make it easier for migrants to avoid deportation and remain in the U.S. for longer periods.
Critics argue that these policy shifts are a direct effort to thwart Trump’s immigration agenda, which includes mass deportations and a crackdown on illegal immigration. Former officials, including former acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan, have called these actions obstructionist, accusing the Biden administration of making it harder for the incoming administration to enforce immigration laws effectively.
NEW: The Biden admin has quietly loosened immigration policies before Trump takes office, allowing migrants to “flee authorities” according to the New York Post.
The Biden admin is launching a new ICE Portal app, allowing migrants to bypass in-person check-ins.
"Homeland… pic.twitter.com/xk37CDEzSA
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 21, 2024
In New York City, where the ICE Portal app will be launched, the policy changes come as the city grapples with a large migrant population, with over 223,000 migrants arriving since the crisis began. More than 58,000 of these migrants are currently housed in city-funded shelters, placing a significant burden on local resources. The new changes could further complicate efforts to manage this growing population and enforce immigration laws.
As the Biden administration pushes these changes through, experts warn that legal challenges could arise, potentially delaying or stalling the rollback of these policies under Trump. This marks the latest chapter in the ongoing battle over immigration policy in the U.S., with the incoming administration preparing to face a host of challenges as it seeks to reverse the outgoing administration’s moves.
