Fact Check: People who are not in the country illegally have nothing to fear from ICE.

Fact Check: "People who are not in the country illegally have nothing to fear from ICE."

What We Know

The claim suggests that individuals who are legally present in the United States have no reason to fear the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to ICE, their mission is to protect the country from cross-border crime and illegal immigration, which includes detaining individuals who are unlawfully present in the U.S. and may pose a threat to national security or public safety (ICE).

The executive order titled "Protecting The American People Against Invasion" emphasizes the enforcement of immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens, particularly those who threaten safety or security (Protecting The American People Against Invasion). This indicates that ICE's focus is primarily on individuals who are in the country illegally, but it does not entirely eliminate the possibility of legal residents being inadvertently affected during enforcement actions.

Additionally, ICE's enforcement actions are often intelligence-driven and based on specific leads, which suggests that while the agency targets individuals unlawfully present, there can be instances where legal residents may be caught up in broader enforcement operations (Identify and Arrest - ICE).

Analysis

The assertion that individuals not in the country illegally have nothing to fear from ICE is partially true. On one hand, individuals with legal status (such as citizens, lawful permanent residents, and visa holders) are not the primary targets of ICE enforcement actions, which are aimed at those unlawfully present. However, there are nuances that complicate this claim:

Targeted Enforcement: ICE conducts targeted enforcement actions based on intelligence and investigations. While the agency states that it focuses on individuals who pose a threat, the reality is that enforcement actions can sometimes lead to the apprehension of individuals who are legally present due to circumstances such as mistaken identity or being in the wrong place at the wrong time (What Is Legal and Illegal When ICE Makes Immigration Arrests).
Legal Rights and Protections: Legal residents have rights that protect them during ICE encounters, including the right to legal counsel and the right to remain silent. However, the enforcement landscape has changed over the years, with some reports indicating increased arrests at courthouses and other public areas, raising concerns about the safety and due process for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status (Secretary Noem Announces Agency Will Enforce Laws).
Public Perception and Fear: The fear of ICE actions can extend beyond those who are unlawfully present. Many legal residents may feel anxious about potential enforcement actions, especially in communities with high immigrant populations. This fear can be exacerbated by the rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement, which often paints a broad brush over all immigrants (ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics).

Conclusion

The claim that "people who are not in the country illegally have nothing to fear from ICE" is partially true. While it is accurate that ICE primarily targets individuals unlawfully present in the U.S., the complexities of immigration enforcement, the potential for misidentification, and the changing landscape of ICE operations mean that legal residents may still experience fear or anxiety regarding their interactions with the agency. Therefore, while legal status provides a significant layer of protection, it does not guarantee complete immunity from ICE actions.

Fact Check: People who are not in the country illegally have nothing to fear from ICE.