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2.0

ICE eliminates requirement that personnel look for evidence an encountered person is a crime victim that could merit enforcement discretion or immigration relief

  1. Original Date Announced

    January 31, 2025

    Acting ICE Director issued policy directive 11005.4 titled, "Interim Guidance on Civil Immigration Enforcement Actions Involving Current or Potential Beneficiaries of Victim-Based Immigration Benefits."

    The memo states ICE officers and agents are "not required to affirmatively seek to identify indicia or evidence suggesting an alien is a victim of a crime or consider such evidence as a positive discretionary factor" when deciding to take enforcement action. Rescinded guidance cited as examples orders of protection or eligibility letters from the HHS Office of Trafficking in Persons.

    ICE officials should consult with the ICE Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) when they encounter individuals who have already received status through a victim-based immigration benefit.

    Rescinding guidance directing ICE personnel to request that USCIS expedite adjudication of pending applications or petitions for victim-based immigration requests—including for people in ICE custody subject to mandatory detention—the interim guidance says expedite requests only will be made when it is "in ICE's best interest."

    This directive aligns with EO 14159, "Protecting the American People Against Invasion," and supersedes previous ICE directives 11005.3 and 10076.1, which directed ICE officials to adopt a "victim-centered approach" when engaged in civil immigration enforcement.

    Trump 2.0 [ID # 1491]

    2025.01.31 Interim Guidance on Civil Immigration Enforcement Actions Involving Current or Potential Beneficiaries of Victim-Based Immigration Benefits
  2. Effective Date

    January 31, 2025

Current Status

None

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Action: Agency Directive
Subject Matter: Interior Enforcement
Agencies Affected: ICE

Pre Trump-Era Policies

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To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com