What Are the Current Enforcement Priorities for ICE and DHS?

At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, we understand that uncertainty regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can be overwhelming. Our legal team is dedicated to providing the assured guidance and professional representation you need to understand these policies and protect your rights.

Current enforcement guidelines generally focus on prioritizing resources to address the most significant threats. Understanding these priorities is essential for assessing your own risk and legal options.

The Three Pillars of Interior Enforcement

DHS currently directs its agencies to focus their resources on three specific categories of noncitizens. This framework is designed to balance national security with the practical realities of the immigration system.

• National Security: This is the highest priority. It includes individuals who have engaged in or are suspected of terrorism or espionage, or who otherwise pose a danger to national security.
• Public Safety: This category targets individuals who pose a threat to the community. It typically includes those convicted of serious criminal offenses, such as aggravated felonies, or those who have actively participated in criminal street gangs.
• Border Security: This priority focuses on individuals who are apprehended at the border or ports of entry while attempting to enter unlawfully, as well as those who entered the United States without inspection after November 1, 2020.

Targeted Operations vs. Workplace Raids

It is crucial to distinguish between different enforcement tactics. While the media often highlights large-scale operations, the reality on the ground can be different.

• Workplace Raids: These involve broad sweeps of worksites where agents arrest numerous employees at once. While these have occurred historically, there has been a shift in recent years toward holding employers accountable through paper audits (I-9 inspections) rather than conducting mass physical arrests of workers.
• Targeted Operations: This is the primary method currently utilized. ICE agents conduct research to locate specific individuals who fall within the priority categories mentioned above. These arrests often occur at a person’s home, near their workplace, or at courthouses.

Understanding this distinction helps reduce panic. If you are not a priority target, the likelihood of being swept up in a random raid is lower, though vigilance is always necessary.

The Role of Prosecutorial Discretion

Because the government cannot deport everyone who is undocumented, ICE attorneys and officers exercise “prosecutorial discretion.” This is the authority to decide which cases to pursue and which to close or dismiss.

For individuals with deep community ties, long-term residence, and clean records, our attorneys can often advocate for a favorable exercise of discretion. We present evidence of your positive contributions to society, such as family relationships, employment history, and community service, to argue that your case should not be a priority for removal.

How Legal Counsel Protects You

An experienced attorney acts as your vital line of defense. At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, we provide comprehensive support to ensure your rights are respected.

We assist clients by:

• Analyzing Your Case: We determine if you fall into an enforcement priority category.
• Advising on Rights: We ensure you know what to do if ICE comes to your home (e.g., not opening the door without a judicial warrant).
• Strategic Advocacy: We file motions to suppress evidence if your rights were violated during an arrest and negotiate directly with government attorneys for administrative closure of low-priority cases.

Your future in the United States is too important to leave to chance. The legal team at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, is your trusted immigration ally, prepared to resolve your legal challenges with empathy and skill.

If you are concerned about enforcement actions or have questions about your immigration status, contact Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, today.