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US immigration officials have been given the power to detain people in schools, churches and hospitals after President Donald Trump reversed policies that previously made these areas illegal for people to work.
The policy change ends more than a decade of restrictions that protected these “critical areas”.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, announced the change in wording, emphasizing the need to eliminate places where people can escape arrest.
“Terrorists 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 law enforcement officers with courage, and instead trust them to use common sense,” he said, according to foreign media reports, the Guardian on Tuesday.
The new order, issued by DHS Secretary Benjamin Huffman, reinstates the use of expedited removal nationwide.
Under the policy, ICE has the authority to deport undocumented individuals who cannot prove they have been in the United States continuously for more than two years.
The changes are in line with the Trump administration’s massive crackdown on immigration.
This week, the President signed a number of actions, including measures to freeze immigration, restrict the use of a program used to facilitate entry into the US, and strengthen cooperation between ICE and local governments.
As part of this, ICE agents are expected to conduct operations across the country to arrest and deport undocumented individuals.
Trump’s border chief, Tom Homan, confirmed in an interview that this will begin immediately, saying that ICE officials across the country will be enforcing immigration laws.
Advocacy groups have strongly opposed the new policy. The Center for Law and Social Policy warned of serious problems that may arise for immigrant families, especially those with children who are US citizens.
The agency said it is concerned that the changes could prevent families from accessing health care, disaster relief, and education and increase the chances of children experiencing dangerous encounters with immigration officials.
Religious leaders have also opposed the plan. In his homily at the opening ceremony, the Episcopal bishop of Washington urged government officials to show compassion to immigrants and vulnerable people.
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