ICE Considers New Ways to Track Migrants, Transfers 30 Detainees to Unknown Location

In response to an official request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Joe Biden administration is exploring ways to provide non-detention tracking and services for as many as 100,000 migrant families and 18- to 21-year-olds each year, reports Axios. The request includes distinguishing 18- to 21-year-olds from the rest of the migrant single adult migrant population and using the immigration program for “other vulnerable populations,” beyond just families and adults. In addition, ICE also is looking for ways to provide low-cost or free legal representation to migrants and ensure school enrollment, as well as provide other resources to help them get situated in the U.S. while awaiting their court hearings. They are also looking for non-governmental organizations not affiliated with for-profit prisons to run the new program.

Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that a group of 30 immigrant detainees in Newark, New Jersey, were quietly transferred to an unknown location recently, among them were some men who were on a hunger strike for over a day who had worries about being sent to another location and were demanding to be released. Abolish Ice NY-NJ, a coalition of organizations seeking to shut down prisons and immigration detention centers, believes 39 detainees were on a hunger strike before the transfer, and that among their concerns were their video tablets being taken away – preventing them from communicating with attorneys and families about their potential move. According to ICE’s detention guidelines, a hunger strike is only recognized by the agency after nine consecutive meal denials.