By Zoila Palma: Federal immigration officers are asserting broad new authority to forcibly enter people’s homes without a judge’s warrant, according to an internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo obtained by The Associated Press.
The directive marks a sharp reversal of longstanding guidance meant to comply with constitutional limits on government searches and has sparked immediate concern from lawmakers and immigrant advocates.
The memo authorizes ICE officers to use force to enter a residence based solely on an administrative warrant to arrest someone with a final order of removal. Advocates say the policy collides with Fourth Amendment protections, which generally prohibit law enforcement from entering a home without judicial approval, CNN reports.
The change comes as the Trump administration expands immigration arrests nationwide under a mass deportation campaign that is already reshaping enforcement tactics in cities such as Minneapolis.
Democrats on Capitol Hill quickly condemned the directive. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut called for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to testify before Congress, describing the memo as “legally and morally abhorrent.” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz similarly criticized the policy as an “assault on freedom and privacy.”
The post International News: ICE memo claims authority to enter homes without Judge’s warrant appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Federal immigration officers are asserting broad new authority to forcibly enter people’s homes without a judge’s warrant, according to an internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo obtained by The Associated Press. The directive marks a sharp reversal of longstanding guidance meant to comply with constitutional limits on government searches and has sparked immediate
The post International News: ICE memo claims authority to enter homes without Judge’s warrant appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
