Trump and allies were wrong about immigrant criminal data – here’s the real numbers.

Former President Donald Trump and his allies have recently made claims about immigrants with criminal convictions being allowed into the U.S. by the Biden administration. Trump took to social media to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris, stating that thousands of murderers and sexual offenders had entered the country during her tenure as Border Czar.

These claims were based on a letter from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, which detailed immigrants with criminal records being tracked by ICE but not detained. However, the data has been misrepresented, as many of these individuals have been in the U.S. long before the Biden administration came into office, according to government officials.

What the data actually shows is that ICE monitors immigrants facing deportation proceedings who are not detained in their “non-detained docket.” This includes individuals who have committed crimes and are deportable under U.S. law, but may not be detained due to various reasons.

ICE has seen a surge in non-detained cases under the Biden administration, following the release of millions of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border in recent years. The agency currently tracks around 7.7 million non-detained cases, with an increase from 3.3 million in fiscal year 2020.

Out of these cases, the non-detained docket includes 425,000 immigrants with criminal convictions and 222,000 with pending criminal charges. This list comprises individuals convicted of homicide and sexual assault, among other offenses.

Although the claims made by Trump and others suggest that all these individuals entered the U.S. under the Biden administration, in reality, many of them have been in the country for years, spanning across multiple administrations. Some of these individuals are still incarcerated in federal or local facilities, either serving their criminal sentences or awaiting trial.

ICE aims to arrest and deport those convicted of serious crimes once they have completed their sentences. However, enforcement efforts are hindered by sanctuary policies in certain jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Furthermore, some immigrants with criminal records cannot be deported due to diplomatic or legal reasons. Countries like China, Cuba, and Venezuela may refuse to repatriate their citizens, leading to situations where ICE has to release individuals ordered for deportation. Additionally, immigrants facing persecution in their home countries may have their deportation deferred under international protection obligations.

It is essential to understand the complexities of immigration enforcement and the challenges faced by authorities in dealing with individuals with criminal records. Misrepresenting data and making unfounded claims only serve to fuel misconceptions and mislead the public about the reality of immigration policies and practices.

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