On January 22, 2025, the administration of United States President Donald Trump announced the rollback of a decade-old policy that prohibited immigration arrests at sensitive locations, including schools, churches, and hospitals. This decision has raised concerns among undocumented immigrants about their safety in accessing essential services.
Residents like Iris Gonzalez, who has lived in the U.S. for 14 years, expressed fear regarding potential encounters with immigration authorities during daily activities. Gonzalez emphasized the importance of education for her children, stating that they will continue attending school despite the new policy.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) justified the policy change by claiming that criminals exploited sensitive locations to evade arrest. However, rights groups condemned the decision, arguing it could deter immigrant families from seeking medical attention and attending school.
On the same day, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported the arrest of 308 undocumented migrants, some of whom had serious criminal charges, including murder and child rape. Border czar Tom Homan indicated that this was part of a broader effort to target individuals deemed threats to public safety.
Homan affirmed that ICE would continue its operations, including in so-called sanctuary cities, where local officials limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. He stated that the agency would pursue individuals even if local authorities did not assist.