Trump says ICE can arrest migrants without criminal records

President Donald Trump has reaffirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents retain full authority to arrest and deport undocumented migrants without criminal records, pushing back against widespread internal confusion.

The clarification follows conflicting field directives that had briefly suggested federal agents should prioritize individuals with criminal convictions and halt secondary or collateral detentions.

The controversy erupted after reports surfaced that operational guidance had instructed field offices to narrow their scope, sparking intense debate among immigration hawks and advocates alike.

The Department of Homeland Security swiftly moved to correct the record, issuing statements emphasizing that "no one is off the table" and that all individuals unlawfully present in the country remain subject to federal enforcement.

Administration officials clarified that while prioritizing violent offenders and high-threat targets remains an operational focus, it was never intended to grant categorical immunity to non-criminal migrants.

The reaffirmed stance ensures that ICE operations, including collateral arrests made during targeted enforcement actions, will proceed without restrictions based strictly on an individual's lack of a criminal rap sheet.