Criminal immigration enforcement by the federal government is steadily growing under the Obama administration and has reached the highest levels seen during the presidency of George Bush, despite fewer people living illegally in the United States.
ICE
Record number of immigration cases referred by ICE
ICE union accuses agency of discrimination in leak probe
The union that represents Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers said that a probe apparently seeking to identify the source of leaked internal documents detailing arrest quotas has unfairly targeted a suspected agent, the Washington Post reported.
Mexican drug informant released from immigration detention
A former Mexican police officer turned drug trafficker who acted as a U.S. government informant was released late Thursday after being held in detention for nearly six years, The Associated Press reports.
Guillermo Ramirez-Peyro, known by the nickname "Lalo," had been held for years in solitary confinement, most recently at a federal immigration detention center near Buffalo, N.Y.
Immigrant advocates want ICE chief out following CIR/Washington Post report
Immigrant advocates pushing for reform of the nation's immigration laws have called on the White House to replace John Morton, the administration's top immigration official.
The call came the day after Morton, the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, convened a meeting at ICE headquarters in Washington, D.C. after a CIR/Washington Post story March 27 disclosed agency memos and other documents setting quotas to deport more illegal immigrants.
ICE responds to CIR/Washington Post story on deportation quotas
Responding to a Washington Post/CIR story about government quotas to deport more illegal immigrants, the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement distanced the agency from a memo sent last month by a top deportation official.
Former drug informant can stay in United States, appeals board rules
A former drug informant who helped federal prosecutors convict more than 50 traffickers while he also aided cartel henchmen kill several people in a Mexican border town will be allowed to stay in the United States, an immigration appeals board has ruled.
Recent ICE memo explains how officials should address detained U.S. citizens
On the heels of several reports documenting U.S. citizens who have been detained or even deported by federal immigration officers, a top Homeland Security Department official in November issued a memo that aims to guide his agency on what to do when a person suspected of being illegally in the country claims to be a citizen.
Court trial of accused drug smugglers offers insights into Mexican trafficking
An ongoing drug trial in U.S. District Court in El Paso, Texas, provides an uncommon glimpse into the violent battle for Juarez, just across the U.S.-Mexico border. The trial has had as many twists and turns as the Rio Grande, which splits these New Wild West towns into something like Heaven and Hell.
ICE "Industry Day" on detention reform attracts familiar faces
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last fall held an "Industry Day" on detention reform as a way to get feedback from current and potential contractors and other interested parties. The event was closed to the news media.
ICE provided to the Center for Investigative Reporting a list of the companies represented, but would not disclose who the attendees were. The event was held at the Julie Myers Conference room at ICE headquarters.
ICE moving forward with new Los Angeles-area immigration lock-up
The federal agency that oversees immigration detention will solicit bids next month for a new 2,200-bed detention center in the Los Angeles area.
Update:
As of Dec. 14 ICE has delayed its bid solicitation date.
"The Government anticipates release of the solicitation during the first quarter of 2010. The response date will be changed based on the date of release," according to the fedbizopps.gov.
