A newly revealed internal document has confirmed a significant change in how American immigration officers conduct arrests. The memo instructs Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents that they have the authority to forcibly enter a private home without a warrant signed by a judge. This applies specifically to cases where the person inside has been given a final order to be removed from the country.
The internal directive, dated 12 May, was written by ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons. It was brought to light after two whistleblowers shared the document with Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut. The document clarifies that agents can enter a property using only an 'administrative warrant' if specific conditions are met. This marks a departure from standard practices, where police or federal agents typically require a 'judicial warrant'—signed by a judge or magistrate—to enter a private residence without the owner's permission.
