The United States immigration authorities have been granted the ability to arrest individuals at schools, churches, and hospitals following President Donald Trump’s administration’s reversal of policies that previously classified these locations as off-limits for enforcement.
The policy change ends over a decade of restrictions protecting these “sensitive areas.”
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, announced the change in a statement, emphasising the importance of eliminating 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 foreign media platform, the Guardian on Tuesday.
The new directive, issued by Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman, also reinstates expedited removal nationwide.
Under this policy, ICE is empowered to quickly deport undocumented individuals who cannot prove they have resided in the United States continuously for more than two years.
The changes align with a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration.
This week, the president signed several executive actions, including suspending the refugee system, blocking access to an app for facilitating entry into the US, and strengthening cooperation between ICE and local governments.
As part of this initiative, ICE agents are set to conduct nationwide operations to arrest and deport undocumented individuals.
In an interview, Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan confirmed that these efforts would begin immediately, stating that ICE officers nationwide would be actively enforcing immigration laws.
Advocacy groups have voiced strong opposition to the new policies. The Center for Law and Social Policy warned of severe repercussions for immigrant families, particularly those with US-citizen children.
The organisation expressed concern that the changes could deter families from seeking medical care, disaster relief, and education and may increase the likelihood of children witnessing traumatic encounters with immigration officials.
Religious leaders have also spoken out against the policy. During a sermon at an inaugural prayer service, the Episcopal bishop of Washington urged the administration to show compassion toward immigrants and vulnerable populations.
