ICE circulates plan to release thousands of detainees to ease deficit

Published February 14, 2024 3:03pm ET



Immigration and Customs Enforcement is discussing releasing nearly half of detained migrants to make up for a budget shortfall.

Four ICE and Department of Homeland Security officials told the Washington Post that the agency is currently experiencing its greatest budget shortfall in recent memory, at $700 million. To compensate, ICE officials are circulating an internal memorandum that proposes cutting detention beds from 38,000 to just 22,000.

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