Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ended two programs providing social services to illegal immigrants released in the United States, citing excessive costs and a lack of alignment with its law enforcement mission.
The decision comes as the agency manages budget challenges and a growing non-detained docket of nearly 7.7 million people.
In a letter to lawmakers led by Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), ICE defended its core monitoring program, Alternatives to Detention (ATD), but announced the end of two supplemental initiatives.
The Wraparound Stabilization Service (WSS), launched in 2020, worked with non-governmental organizations to offer mental health and behavioral support to migrants and their families. ICE revealed that this program had only a marginal impact on compliance, with a mere 2% higher success rate among participants compared to non-participants.
The agency labeled the program as costly and inefficient, with substantial challenges in implementation, including a cumbersome referral process and resource limitations.
The Young Adult Case Management Program (YACMP), another initiative targeted at 18- and 19-year-old migrants, provided legal services, social service referrals, and screenings for human trafficking.
Initiated in 2023, the program operated in 16 cities but was terminated in June. ICE justified its decision by stating that the program did not align with its mission or priorities and that fiscal limitations made it unsustainable.
The agency highlighted the effectiveness of its primary monitoring efforts under the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), which tracks migrants through app check-ins or GPS devices.
According to ICE, 98.6% of participants attended their court hearings, with a 90.4% compliance rate for final hearings. Despite these successes, concerns remain regarding the safety and security risks posed by individuals in the program.
In fiscal year 2024, over 3,900 charges and 688 convictions were recorded among those enrolled, including cases of homicide, kidnapping, and assault.
The decision to terminate these programs aligns with calls from conservative lawmakers and advocacy groups for stricter immigration enforcement.
Lora Ries, director of the Heritage Foundation’s Border Security and Immigration Center, criticized the programs as wasteful and counterproductive to ICE’s mission. She urged that resources be redirected toward detention and deportation efforts, stating that taxpayer dollars should focus on enforcement rather than services.
As the incoming Trump administration prepares to take office, it has signaled a focus on reducing the number of individuals on ICE’s non-detained docket and increasing the use of ankle monitors for those who cannot be detained.
These policy shifts reflect a broader commitment to enhancing immigration enforcement and addressing what many see as systemic issues within the current framework.