WASHINGTON - Continuing with a series of enforcement reforms, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today issued a new, comprehensive policy to guide Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement actions in or near protected areas, replacing previous sensitive locations guidance. The first-ever policy for both ICE and CBP provides an expanded and non-exhaustive list of protected areas, including new designations such as places where children gather, disaster or emergency relief sites, and social services establishments.
"In our pursuit of justice, including in the execution of our enforcement responsibilities, we impact people's lives and advance our country's well-being in the most fundamental ways. As a result, when conducting an enforcement action, ICE and CBP agents and officers must first examine and consider the impact of where actions might possibly take place, their effect on people, and broader societal interests," said Secretary Mayorkas. "We can accomplish our law enforcement mission without denying individuals access to needed medical care, children access to their schools, the displaced access to food and shelter, people of faith access to their places of worship, and more. Adherence to this principle is a bedrock of our stature as public servants."
The new policy, which is effective immediately, supersedes and rescinds all previous sensitive locations guidance and establishes that enforcement actions should not be taken in or near a location that would restrain people's access to essential services or engagement in essential activities.
DHS officers and agents will use their judgment to determine whether a location is a "protected area" taking into consideration the activities that take place there, the importance of those activities to the well-being of peopl
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