Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has decided to end two programs that provide social services to illegal immigrants who are released into the U.S. interior. This decision was made in response to a letter from Rep. Byron Donalds and 15 other members of Congress inquiring about the effectiveness of these programs. One of the programs, the Wraparound Stabilization Service (WSS), was deemed ineffective and costly, with only a 2% higher compliance rate compared to those who did not participate in the program.
Another program that was discontinued is the Young Adult Case Management (YACMP) program, which provided legal services, screenings, referrals to social service programs, and human trafficking screenings to 18- and 19-year-old migrants. ICE cited fiscal limitations and a lack of alignment with its mission and priorities as reasons for ending this program. The agency mentioned challenges such as a cumbersome identification and referral process, a substantial increase in participants, and a lack of resources.
The Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program, which monitors illegal immigrants not in ICE detention through app check-ins or GPS monitors, has been defended by ICE as an efficient and effective program. However, some programs created to offer services and assistance to those not in detention are no longer operational. ICE mentioned that these programs were not cost-effective and did not benefit the agency in achieving its mission. The agency also provided data on the operations of the ATD tracking program and the number of crimes charged or convicted during enrollment.
The incoming Trump administration is reportedly planning to increase deportations and reduce the numbers of illegal immigrants not in detention while also increasing the use of ankle monitors on those who cannot be detained. Some conservatives have criticized the services provided to illegal immigrants and called for the new administration to eliminate more programs that offer aid to them. Lora Ries, the director of the Heritage Foundation’s Border Security and Immigration Center, referred to the services as a “boondoggle” and advocated for redirecting resources towards detaining and deporting illegal aliens instead.
Overall, ICE’s decision to end certain social services programs for illegal immigrants has sparked debate among lawmakers and conservatives. While some believe that these programs are costly and ineffective, others argue that they are necessary to address the needs of vulnerable populations. The incoming administration’s stance on immigration and deportation will likely play a significant role in shaping the future of these programs and the enforcement of immigration laws in the United States.
