ICE unlikely to scale back crackdown, sources say, citing Stephen Miller
The Trump administration is unlikely to scale back its aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration following the results of the midterm elections, multiple U.S. officials told CBS News, citing the elevation of Stephen Miller as White House chief of staff.
Key points
- U.S. officials told CBS News that ICE enforcement is unlikely to slow after the midterms.
- ICE has been told to aim for about 19,000 arrests per week, up from 2,000 a day.
- Officials cited Stephen Miller's promotion to White House chief of staff as a sign of continuity.
The Trump administration is unlikely to reduce its immigration crackdown after the midterm elections, multiple U.S. officials told CBS News, pointing to Stephen Miller's elevation as White House chief of staff. Republicans lost heavily on Election Day, including in historically red states such as Texas, and 58% of voters nationwide said the deportation crackdown had "gone too far."
Officials at the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement said they have received no instructions to scale back enforcement since the election. The sources spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to talk to the media.
Arrest targets raised
In recent weeks, ICE officials have been instructed to try to carry out around 19,000 arrests per week, or about 2,700 per day, agency sources told CBS News. That is an increase from a prior target of 2,000 daily arrests, and the target was set before the midterms.
Asked whether the midterms would bring a pullback, one official said, "I would count on the opposite" with Miller as chief of staff. The sources said the administration believes last week's losses were driven mainly by the economy, affordability and the war with Iran, not immigration.
This administration will not slow down its efforts to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens who terrorize our communities.
— Lauren Bis
White House and Democratic response
White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told CBS News that the administration "will not slow down its efforts to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens who terrorize our communities." She cited lower illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Democrats take control of both chambers of Congress in January and will have powers to investigate the crackdown. Theresa Cardinal Brown, an immigration official under Obama and Bush, expects subpoenas and oversight hearings, but said Trump will likely veto restrictions and that ICE has $75 billion through 2029.
