ICE Ends Social Services Programs For Illegal Immigrants

U.S. Supreme Court allows Texas law on suspected illegal immigrants to take effect

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently terminated two programs aimed at providing social services to illegal immigrants released into the U.S. interior. The decision was made in response to concerns raised by lawmakers regarding the effectiveness and alignment of these programs with ICE's mission.

One of the programs, the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program, which monitors illegal immigrants not in ICE detention, was defended by the agency as an efficient and effective means of monitoring a segment of the non-detained immigrant population. However, ICE cited budgetary constraints and operational challenges as reasons for discontinuing the program.

Another program, the Wraparound Stabilization Service (WSS), which offered psychosocial and behavioral health support to vulnerable participants and their families, was also terminated due to its high cost and limited impact on compliance rates.

Budget constraints and operational challenges led to the discontinuation of the programs.

ICE terminated Alternatives to Detention and Wraparound Stabilization Service programs.

The Young Adult Case Management Program vendor contract was not renewed.

Additionally, ICE decided not to renew a vendor contract for the Young Adult Case Management Program (YACMP), which provided legal services and referrals to social service programs for 18- and 19-year-old migrants.

Despite the termination of these programs, ICE highlighted the success of its Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), which tracks participants through app check-ins or GPS monitors. The agency reported high appearance rates at court hearings and emphasized the program's effectiveness in monitoring participants.

Lawmakers also inquired about criminal activities among ATD participants, with ICE reporting a number of charges and convictions, including serious offenses such as sex offenses, homicides, and kidnappings.

The decision to end these social services programs comes amid a shift in immigration enforcement priorities, with the incoming administration signaling a focus on increasing deportations and reducing non-detained populations while utilizing ankle monitors for monitoring purposes.

Conservative voices have called for further cuts to programs supporting illegal immigrants in light of ICE's recent actions.