Shocking new data from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveals that tens of thousands of illegal immigrants with serious criminal convictions, including sexual assaults and murders, are not detained and are walking free in communities across the United States.
Critics are directing heavy blame toward the Biden administration for the release of these individuals into the interior of the country, according to lawmakers and ICE data.
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) disclosed the ICE data, which shows that, as of July 2024, more than 662,000 noncitizens with criminal histories are on the agency’s national docket. This includes people with convictions for assault, drug trafficking, sexual offenses, and even homicide. Over 7 million individuals are part of the non-detained docket, where they are either subject to removal orders or involved in ongoing immigration proceedings, but not in custody.
Among the individuals listed on the non-detained docket, the numbers of those with violent criminal histories are deeply concerning. ICE data shows that of those not in detention, 13,099 have been convicted of homicide, 62,231 have been convicted of assault, and 15,811 have sexual assault convictions. In addition to those with criminal convictions, another 222,141 individuals on the docket face pending criminal charges, including over 4,200 for sexual assault and nearly 1,850 for homicide.
Lawmakers, such as House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, have voiced grave concerns about the government’s handling of immigration enforcement, especially regarding the release of convicted criminals. Green stated that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have allowed people convicted of serious crimes to be released into U.S. communities. He questioned how many more Americans would need to suffer harm before decisive action is taken to uphold the law.
ICE itself has raised concerns about “sanctuary” city policies, which may limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. According to the agency, these policies might prevent the removal of individuals who have committed dangerous crimes, placing communities at risk.
The number of individuals on ICE’s non-detained docket has skyrocketed in recent years. In fiscal year 2021, there were 3.7 million people listed. By 2023, that number had grown to more than 7 million. Among this growing group are individuals with serious criminal records, leading to increasing criticism from conservative lawmakers and organizations.
RJ Hauman, president of the National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE), sharply criticized Vice President Harris, accusing her of failing to protect Americans. Hauman argued that her leadership on the immigration issue has left the country exposed to dangerous criminals who should have been detained or deported.
While critics accuse the administration of negligence, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has defended its actions. DHS noted that from mid-May 2023 through July 2024, it removed or returned more than 893,600 individuals, including over 138,000 family members. The agency insists that the majority of those encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border in recent years have been expelled or deported.
The Biden administration has faced criticism for what some see as a weakening of immigration enforcement compared to previous administrations. Deportations were notably lower in the early years of Biden’s presidency than under his predecessor, Donald Trump. Lawmakers like Gonzales argue that the administration has been too lenient, allowing dangerous individuals to slip through the cracks and enter the general population.
However, the administration counters that a broken immigration system, coupled with inadequate funding from Congress, has severely hampered its ability to handle the growing number of illegal immigrants effectively. DHS maintains that it is doing its best to manage a massive caseload with limited resources, working to secure the U.S. borders despite the challenges.
In an attempt to address these concerns, Vice President Harris visited the southern border Friday in Arizona to promote a bipartisan immigration bill. The visit drew criticism from conservative lawmakers, who questioned the administration's commitment to enforcing immigration laws.
Gonzales has been particularly vocal in his disapproval. He has called the release of criminals into American communities an outrage, noting that Americans “deserve to be safe” in their own country. His concerns reflect those of many conservatives who feel that the administration is prioritizing migrants over the safety of U.S. citizens, and as the national debate over immigration continues to escalate, the ICE data adds fuel to the fire.
