Trump Administration Clarifies ICE Arrest Policy Amid Confusion

<p>The Trump administration denied reports on September 26, 2026, that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had temporarily instructed agents to limit arrests to illegal immigrants with criminal records. This clarification comes as immigration enforcement remains a central focus of President Donald Trump’s agenda.</p><p>The administration has committed to an aggressive approach to illegal immigration and expanded deportations, with officials stating that these efforts have not been reduced. Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that verbal guidance instructing field offices to prioritize the "worst first" was distributed nationwide earlier in the week.</p><p>This guidance alarmed some ICE agents, who described it as shocking and frustrating, according to Melugin. Sources later indicated that the confusion arose from internal discussions about prioritizing serious offenders, and the directive was attributed to a "miscommunication" rather than a formal policy change.</p><p>Melugin stated, "There is no change in immigration enforcement policy." New guidance was sent to ICE field offices on the evening of September 26 to reaffirm that the administration’s enforcement policy had not changed.</p><p>Trump told Fox News that ICE can still arrest and deport anyone who is in the country illegally. ICE agents will continue to arrest illegal immigrants without additional criminal histories, including "collaterals," or individuals encountered during operations targeting others. Sources confirmed that the administration’s broader immigration enforcement agenda remains intact.</p>