The Donald Trump administration has empowered U.S. immigration authorities to arrest individuals at schools, churches, and hospitals, reversing policies that previously shielded these locations from enforcement actions.
Naija News understands that this policy shift ends over a decade of restrictions that classified such “sensitive areas” as off-limits for immigration enforcement.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the change, highlighting the need to close spaces where individuals could evade arrest.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.
“The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense,” the statement said, as reported by the Guardian on Tuesday.
The new directive, issued by Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman, also reintroduces expedited removals nationwide.
This policy allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to swiftly deport undocumented individuals unable to prove continuous U.S. residence for over two years.
These changes are part of the broader immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, which this week included several executive actions.
These actions aim to suspend the refugee system, block access to a key entry app, and enhance cooperation between ICE and local authorities.
ICE agents will now begin nationwide operations to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants.
Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, confirmed that these operations would begin immediately, with ICE officers actively enforcing immigration laws across the country.