ICE to scale back arrests during coronavirus pandemic
“Individuals should not avoid seeking medical care because they fear civil immigration enforcement,” ICE said in a statement.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement said today that it will halt arrests during the coronavirus pandemic except for those deemed “mission critical“ to “maintain public safety and national security.“
In a statement, the agency said it would not make any arrests near hospitals, doctor’s offices, or health clinics “except in the most extraordinary of circumstances.”
“Individuals should not avoid seeking medical care because they fear civil immigration enforcement,” ICE said in a statement.
The announcement came amid growing concern over the virus’ rapid spread both publicly and inside the government. Nearly 500 Homeland Security employees are quarantined because of the coronavirus, and at least 13 are confirmed or presumed Covid-19 positive, according to documents reviewed by POLITICO today.
The American Civil Liberties Union last week asked a federal court to release a group of sick and elderly detainees in Washington state, citing concerns for their safety. ICE did not immediately say what it would do with the roughly 37,000 people in detention nationwide.