Trump Campaign Misrepresents Homeland Security Data on Immigrant Criminals.
The Trump campaign and its allies are misusing Homeland Security data on undocumented immigrants with criminal records, alleging that thousands of these individuals have entered the U.S. during the Biden administration. In reality, the figures cited span several decades.
Recently released data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shows that there are 13,099 immigrants with homicide convictions who are not currently detained by ICE. However, the interpretation of this data has been distorted by Republican lawmakers, particularly former President Donald Trump, as the 2024 election approaches.
Misleading Claims on Immigrant Criminals
Trump and his supporters have claimed that Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, “released” these individuals, presenting them as a current threat to public safety. They argue that these immigrants are “at large” in the U.S. due to policies under the Biden administration. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified on Sunday that these claims are a misinterpretation of ICE’s data.
The 13,099 immigrants referenced by Trump are part of ICE’s “non-detained” docket, which includes nearly 7 million people with pending immigration cases. Many on this list are either incarcerated by other authorities, have served their criminal sentences, or cannot be deported for various legal or diplomatic reasons.
The Facts Behind the Numbers
When immigrants in the U.S. illegally commit crimes and serve prison time, they are often transferred to ICE custody. ICE may then attempt to deport them, but some are allowed to remain in the U.S. while their immigration cases are reviewed. For instance, an immigrant convicted of homicide years ago may remain in the country after completing their sentence due to factors such as having U.S.-born children.
Crucially, the vast majority of the homicide convictions cited by Trump do not involve immigrants who arrived during the Biden administration. Most have been on ICE’s records for decades, with many cases dating back to previous administrations, including Trump’s own.
“The data goes back decades and includes individuals who entered the country over the past 40 years or more,” said a DHS spokesperson.
Rising Numbers Amidst Misrepresentation
The non-detained docket, which includes immigrants with criminal histories, has grown during the Biden administration as illegal border crossings surged between 2021 and 2023. However, the 13,099 figure in the ICE letter reflects convictions accumulated over four decades.
Policy expert Aaron Reichlin-Melnick highlighted that many individuals on this list “have been here for decades” and cannot be deported due to diplomatic restrictions or legal protections. These individuals, though recorded in ICE’s data, have often served their criminal sentences and remain in the U.S. legally.
Trump’s False Allegations
Despite these details, Trump has continued to push misleading claims. During a rally in Wisconsin, he falsely stated that “13,099 convicted murderers have crossed the border and are free to roam and kill in our country” under Biden’s leadership. He attempted to link Vice President Harris to this issue, calling her the “border czar” and holding her responsible for the situation.
The same false claims were repeated by Sen. Tom Cotton during an interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
Clarifications from Democrats
Democratic lawmakers have sought to explain the real context of the data. Sen. Chris Coons pointed out that most of the 13,099 individuals cited are either still in prison or awaiting deportation after serving their sentences. He also emphasized that the Biden administration has deported violent criminals at a higher rate than the Trump administration.
Coons stated, “The Biden-Harris administration has prioritized the deportation of those who’ve committed violent crimes and deported them at a 50 percent higher rate than former President Trump.”
In his letter to Rep. Tony Gonzales, ICE’s acting Director P.J. Lechleitner noted that DHS continues to remove migrants who pose national security and public safety risks. Vice President Harris also underscored the administration’s efforts to address backlogs in immigration cases, blaming Trump for obstructing bipartisan immigration reform.
Conclusion
The Trump campaign’s portrayal of the ICE data distorts the reality of immigration enforcement. The 13,099 figure represents decades of accumulated convictions, not a sudden influx of criminals during the Biden administration. As the 2024 election heats up, the debate over immigration will continue, but it is essential to examine the facts behind the rhetoric.
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