Controversy Unfolds Over ICE's New Directive on Home Entries

Federal immigration officers have been empowered to enter homes with merely an administrative warrant, reversing traditional practices that required a judge's warrant. This change, documented in a leaked ICE memo, raises constitutional concerns amid an intensified immigration crackdown by the Trump administration.

Federal immigration officers have recently asserted sweeping authority to enter individuals' homes without a judge's warrant, according to an internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) memo obtained by The Associated Press. This decision marks a significant reversal from longstanding guidance meant to uphold constitutional restraints on government searches.

The memo authorises ICE officers to forcibly enter residences using a narrow administrative warrant, a move that critics argue conflicts with Fourth Amendment protections. Advocates and legal experts warn that this change undermines years of established advice to immigrant communities and corresponds with a nationwide expansion of immigration arrests under the Trump administration's aggressive deportation initiatives.

The evolving enforcement tactics have sparked fierce criticism and are likely to face legal challenges. Critics include advocacy groups, immigrant-supportive governments, and legal aid organizations that have long advised individuals to resist opening their doors to agents lacking judge-signed warrants. Despite these contentions, the directive continues to be implemented, with reports of forceful entries gaining attention and stirring debate over its legality.

(With inputs from agencies.)