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ICE reports increase in workplace investigations and arrests in 2018

  1. Original Date Announced

    December 11, 2018

    In FY18, Homeland Security Investigations opened 6,848 worksite investigations compared to 1,691 in FY17; initiated 5,981 I-9 audits compared to 1,360; and made 779 criminal and 1,525 administrative worksite-related arrests compared to 139 and 172, respectively. All of these categories surged by 300 to 750 percent over the previous fiscal year. [ID #365]

    ICE News Release: ICE worksite enforcement investigations in FY18 surge
  2. Effective Date

    December 11, 2018
  3.  
  4. Biden Administration Action: Revoked/Replaced

    October 12, 2021

    2021.10.12 Memo from Secretary Mayorkas on worksite enforcement

    The Biden administration action revokes in part the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

    On October 12, 2021, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issued a memorandum instructing ICE to cease mass worksite enforcement actions and "refocus. . . workplace enforcement efforts" on "unscrupulous employers."

    View Document

Current Status

Not in effect

Most Recent Action

October 12, 2021 Action: Revoked/Replaced 2021.10.12 Memo from Secretary Mayorkas on worksite enforcement
October 12, 2021
Acted on by Biden Administration

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Action: Change in Practice
Agencies Affected: ICE

Associated or Derivative Policies

Pre Trump-Era Policies

  • April 30, 2009

    The Obama administration in an April 2009 ICE memorandum issued a worksite enforcement strategy which prioritized the criminal prosecution of employers, but continued a policy to arrest and process for removal encountered undocumented workers.

    ICE Worksite Enforcement Strategy

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