By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Cato Institute released data challenging the Trump administration’s claims about prioritizing dangerous criminals in immigration operations. Data from October 1 to November 15 revealed that 73% of those booked into ICE custody had no criminal convictions, with around two-thirds of those having no pending charges either. Further analysis showed that the number of arrests of immigrants without convictions or pending charges surged significantly under Trump, despite the administration’s stated goals. In response, DHS officials dismissed the data as propaganda, drawing criticism from immigration advocates who pointed to the data’s credibility and its basis in publicly available information.
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This is the Scandal: DHS Data Shows ICE Mostly Targeting People With No Criminal Convictions
The core of the issue boils down to this: DHS data reveals that ICE, the very agency tasked with enforcing immigration laws, appears to be primarily focusing its efforts on individuals who haven’t been convicted of any crimes. This is not just a statistical anomaly; it represents a fundamental shift in the agency’s priorities and raises serious questions about the nature of its operations.
The shift towards targeting individuals with no criminal convictions isn’t a surprise when you consider the quotas that ICE agents operate under. When agents are pressured to meet daily or weekly arrest numbers, they are, logically, going to target the easiest targets. The individuals who are more compliant and less likely to resist, those who are simply present in the country without proper documentation, become the primary focus.
It’s easy to see how this can play out. It’s much easier to round up individuals in a Home Depot parking lot, or target those in “brown neighborhoods,” as some might say. These individuals are less likely to have the means to resist or fight back. This approach diverts resources away from targeting actual criminals who may pose a threat to public safety, and instead prioritizes the fulfillment of quotas.
This whole situation also appears to be contributing to a climate of fear within immigrant communities. The constant threat of being targeted, regardless of one’s background or behavior, creates an atmosphere of distrust and apprehension. The consequences are far-reaching, from making it difficult for people to engage with law enforcement or access essential services, to disrupting communities and families.
It’s also worth noting the type of people who become ICE agents. It’s suggested that many “agents” might be, as described, “cavemen dropouts,” lacking the skills or the inclination to do more useful work in society. This could lead to a lack of proper training, understanding of legal boundaries, and an overall lack of professionalism. Some of these agents have criminal records themselves, which further questions the integrity of the agency. The reports of ICE agents being arrested for crimes like drunk driving and sex trafficking paint a troubling picture of a potentially dysfunctional and unaccountable organization.
The targeting of individuals without criminal records might also be seen as a fulfillment of a political agenda, a promise made by some politicians to remove as many undocumented immigrants as possible. This, in turn, may be fueling the dehumanization of immigrants based on their skin color, and a disregard for constitutional rights. It appears that the primary driver for these actions is rooted in hatred of immigration.
The focus on non-criminals, fulfilling quotas, and possible political motivations all contribute to the growing sentiment that ICE is acting more like a state-sponsored terrorist group than a law enforcement agency. It would seem that the real scandal isn’t just the targeting of non-criminals, but the lack of oversight and accountability that allows such practices to continue.
There are many who feel that if the laws were followed to the letter, any undocumented person is fair game for deportation, regardless of their criminal record. However, the data clearly shows a disproportionate targeting of those who have not committed any crimes. This suggests that ICE is prioritizing quantity over quality, and in doing so, they are undermining their own mission.
And finally, it’s very important to note that the media’s failure to give this situation more coverage only adds to the scandal. The lack of a spotlight on these activities allows ICE to continue operating with little accountability. The situation should be more exposed to public scrutiny, which can help bring transparency, and possibly lead to real reform.