[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Immigration arrests made during fiscal year 2021 have dropped by more than 50 percent from levels seen under pre-pandemic polices during the Trump administration.  According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), around 72,000 immigration arrests were made during FY 2021, down from the average 148,000 arrests made during FY 2017-2019 and below pandemic-impacted FY 2020, which saw about 104,000 arrests.  The reduction in immigration arrests is seen mostly as a product of immigration policies implemented during the Biden administration. The statistics provided by Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) are for noncitizens in the United States facing a final order of removal from the country.  They do not include arrests and deportations made on the borders.  Several policies have led to lower immigration arrests, including a policy that entering the United States illegally should not be the sole basis for removal.  Under Trump administration policies, ERO was directed to arrest anyone found to be in the US without documentation.  Under Biden administration policies, ERO is directed to prioritize recent border crossers, criminals, and national security threats. Under the new directives, the number of arrests has fallen by more than half, but the number of arrests of serious criminals with aggravated felony convictions increased by almost 70 percent.  The number of arrests of sex offenders increased by about 87 percent. See the full news story here. It was also recently announced that Department of Homeland Security has directed ICE to stop conducting mass raids on workplaces, a tactic commonly used during the Trump administration.  Instead of targeting immigrants, ICE will target the employers who hire immigrants without work authorization.  It is not uncommon for these workplaces to exploit undocumented labor and to threaten them should they report unsafe working conditions.  The guidelines also allow for undocumented workers to become witnesses if they are victims of their employer. See the full news story here. The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth continues to monitor for any significant changes to immigration law to better help us serve our clients.  We have been helping immigrants to the United States live and work legally in the country since 1984.  We examine every clients' situation to help them determine the best course of action to receive work visas and green cards.  We offer free immigration consultations, so call us today at 888-517-9888![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]