U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ceased the public disclosure of detention sites for thousands of individuals facing final deportation orders, an abrupt change that has significantly hindered access for attorneys and family members. The move, reported by current and former agency officials, aligns with the Trump administration’s stricter immigration enforcement policies.
According to three officials who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, the detainee records were removed from ICE’s online locator system on September 15. Because the individuals were not authorized to discuss the operational change, they requested their identities remain confidential.
Legal professionals contacted by the AP confirmed that their clients had disappeared from the tracking database during the same week. In response, the American Immigration Lawyers Association issued a warning to its members regarding the new restrictions on locating detainees on Friday.
Another opaque policy shift from the administration. Lawyers are now essentially flying blind.
I wonder if this was coordinated with state prisons or just federal facilities. The scale seems massive.
Does anyone actually trust ICE’s word on this? Opacity usually means something worse is happening.
How can anyone ensure due process when the government hides the location of detainees?
This is incredibly concerning. Families and lawyers need transparency, not secret detentions.