SAN DIEGO (AP) — Since arriving in the U.S. from Mexico, Fernando Perez has always known how to navigate the system. He has never answered the door when immigration officers came knocking. But a new directive from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could change everything.
The memo indicates that officers can now forcibly enter homes without needing a warrant signed by a judge. This significant policy overhaul is sparking fear and confusion in immigrant communities, which have long operated under the rule of not opening the door unless a proper warrant was presented.
In recent years, immigration arrests have mostly been conducted using administrative warrants, which traditionally required officer consent to enter a private residence. However, under the new directive, if agents claim they have a valid reason, they can break in, which some advocates fear could lead to dangerous confrontations.
During a recent ICE operation in Minneapolis, officers were observed forcibly entering a home based on an administrative warrant, marking a shift in enforcement tactics amid President Trump's immigration crackdown.
Concerned senators, including Richard Blumenthal, are demanding investigations into the memo, arguing that it is a violation of American rights and dignity. Legal experts warn that these aggressive tactics could provoke violence, creating a precarious situation for both law enforcement and residents.
The community's response includes a push for 'know-your-rights' training sessions to educate immigrants about their legal protections and how to respond if approached by ICE.
The implications of this policy shift are profound, potentially stripping away hard-earned safe spaces for immigrant families. The memo signals a dramatic change in the landscape of immigration policy and enforcement in the U.S.
