Study claims that ICE detains innocent people to meet arrest quotas

A new analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice has brought the transformation of ICE’s immigration detention policies in the United States into the public debate. The report notes that, following the significant resources it received last year, ICE’s strategy has shifted away from practices focused on dangerous criminals toward mass arrests and detentions of migrants—including those with no criminal record—solely to meet a quota of 3,000 daily arrests set by the administration.

Kira Romero-Craft, an attorney at the Brennan Center for Justice, states that far from improving security in the country, the administration is carrying out mass detentions of immigrants.

Kira Romero-Craft, an attorney at the Brennan Center for Justice, acknowledges that the administration has a detention quota, which is why it acts this way.

She also notes that this is an expense borne by taxpayers.

Kira Romero-Craft says they found evidence that ICE is focused on meeting its arrest quotas.

Kira Romero-Craft, an attorney at the Brennan Center for Justice, says that many agents arrest people first and then check their legal status.

She acknowledges that the detention system has always been complex, but it is even more so now that they have to meet quotas, and this poses a threat even to U.S. citizens.

She also notes that they are using other types of officials—even park rangers—and reassigning personnel to carry out ICE detentions.

Kira Romero-Craft, an attorney at the Brennan Center for Justice, recommends that families ensure due process is restored in these operations.