ICE Forced to Scale Back Detention Capacity Amid Funding Shortfall

ICE Considers Slashing Detention Capacity Due to Funding Shortfall U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is contemplating a significant reduction in its detention capacity as a result of Republicans in Congress blocking a bill that would have allocated over $7 billion in funding to the agency. In order to adhere to its current budget, ICE would need to cut over 10,000 detention spots within a few months, according to internal documents obtained by The New York Times. The proposal suggests two potential solutions to address the budget shortfall. One option would involve releasing some of the 38,000 individuals currently in custody, while the other would entail not filling vacant spots as cases are resolved. Three officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the plan is actively being considered within ICE. The news of this proposal comes amidst a moment of immigration crisis in the United States, with a surge of people crossing into the country and a broken asylum system. Unfortunately, bitter politics have paralyzed any progress on the issue, as Republicans view it as a political weapon against President Biden. President Biden has urged Congress to pass bipartisan legislation aimed at curbing migration at the southern border. However, former President Donald J. Trump, who is likely to challenge Biden in this year's election, pressured Republicans to block the deal, claiming it would benefit Democrats. Consequently, many Republicans are now rejecting measures they had previously demanded, including stricter enforcement by ICE, which they had advocated for over the years.