Worst First: Miami ICE Official Clarifies Trump Administration’s Guidance on Deportations
ICE Official on Immigration Crackdown
As federal agents ramp up immigration enforcement, some undocumented immigrants in South Florida fear they may be the target of the next raid.
Clarifying the Guidance
Garrett Ripa, the acting assistant director of ICE Field Operations in Miami, told NBC6 on Tuesday that the administrative guidance is a “worst first” ideology – people with non-violent crimes are not the target, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be detained.
“It’s not necessarily about the crime you committed, it’s about your immigration status,” Ripa explained. “Every individual in the United States that is either removable or inadmissible from the United States, regardless of whether they have a crime or not, is potentially an individual that we could take an enforcement action against. Now does that necessarily mean that we’re going to take that person into immigration custody? Not necessarily, there are other avenues we can explore.”
Due Process in Detention
According to Ripa, if detained, the immigrants will get due process. In some cases, they will have hearings, in others, they may be deported.
“We’re not going to take someone into custody and then not give them a hearing. That’s not how we operate. We’re a law enforcement agency, and we have to follow the law,” Ripa emphasized.
Watch the Full Interview
Watch the full interview in the video player above.
Conclusion
The “worst first” approach may provide a sense of security for some, but it also raises concerns about the potential for mass deportations. As the immigration debate continues to unfold, it is crucial to understand the guidelines and protocols in place for enforcement actions.
FAQs
* What is the “worst first” approach?
+ It is a policy that prioritizes the removal of individuals who are deemed to be a threat to national security or have committed violent crimes.
* What is the goal of the “worst first” approach?
+ The goal is to target individuals who are deemed to be a threat to national security or have committed violent crimes, rather than focusing on those who have committed non-violent offenses.
* Will individuals with non-violent crimes be detained?
+ According to Garrett Ripa, ICE official, individuals with non-violent crimes are not the primary target, but it’s possible they could be detained if they are deemed to be a threat to national security or have immigration violations.
