DHS Rejects Reported Change To ICE Arrest Policy: "No One Is Off The Table"

The Department of Homeland Security has denied media reports that it instructed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to stop detaining migrants who are in the United States illegally but have not been charged with a crime. DHS said the claim is false and reiterated that "no one is off the table."

The version of events first appeared in the Daily Wire, which, citing "agency sources," reported that ICE officers had been told to arrest only migrants with criminal convictions or formal charges. DHS pushed back on that characterization in a statement posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

"This is false. No one is off the table. We will continue to arrest any and all illegal aliens that come into our path. Anyone in our country illegally will be arrested and deported," the department said.

The department added that ICE has launched a nationwide public safety surge focused on sanctuary cities. According to DHS, the effort targets criminal noncitizens who have been released from local jails, citing categories such as murderers, rapists, child predators, and gang members.

Photographs show ICE agents patrolling Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport on March 24, 2026, in New York City.

What To Watch

This remains a developing story. Reporters will continue to seek confirmation from ICE, DHS, and local officials about guidance to agents and the scope of the announced surge. We will update this article as new, verifiable information becomes available.