Federal agents have been more aggressive and less selective about arresting immigrants and pursuing deportations in the year since President Donald Trump took office.
They’ve also been far more effective, according to supporters of tighter immigration enforcement, and far more reckless, according to immigrant advocates.
“Everybody who is deportable is now a priority,” said Ruby Robinson, managing attorney of the Michigan Immigration Rights Center, which saw requests for legal aid double last year.
“And there’s limited discretion in who is not going to be detained. Pretty much anyone who is deportable is going to be sent to deportation hearings.”
He said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been detaining people in situations “you wouldn’t ordinarily see before,” including cases involving dialysis patients and people with mental illnesses.