John Sandweg, the former head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has expressed concerns over the agency’s current approach under the Trump administration, calling its actions “unprecedented.” Sandweg, who served as ICE’s chief from 2013 to 2014, argued that the agency’s methods now are a significant departure from the more targeted, investigative approach employed during his tenure.
Unprecedented Enforcement Tactics
Sandweg described the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement as “unprecedented,” emphasizing that, unlike during the Obama years, the current tactics appear to be much more indiscriminate. “These raids are much more akin to area sweeps,” he said, describing how ICE is now conducting large-scale operations where agents stop people on the streets, execute traffic stops in collaboration with other law enforcement, and raid apartment buildings without the extensive research or investigation seen under the previous administration.
Comparison tothe Obama Administration’s Deportations
During the Obama administration, Sandweg explained that deportations were targeted and based on thorough investigations. He noted that while the Obama administration deported nearly three million people between 2009 and 2016, these were carefully selected cases, with agents often spending months gathering evidence before conducting arrests. In contrast, under Trump, the number of deportations is on track to reach two million, with many deportations seemingly carried out without adequate vetting.
Pressure and Aggression in the Field
Sandweg speculated that the violence and aggressive tactics used by ICE agents today are likely a result of “tremendous pressure” to increase arrest numbers. He suggested that the administration’s zero-tolerance stance on illegal immigration has led to more aggressive operations, including raids at locations like car washes and Home Depot parking lots, where large numbers of arrests can be made without consideration of public safety threats posed by the individuals.
The Shift in ICE’s Operational Focus
Under the Trump administration, Sandweg observed, ICE’s operational strategy has shifted. The agency now focuses on large-scale arrests with less regard for the public safety risks of those arrested. “They just say: ‘If you’re undocumented, you’re a fair target,'” he explained, contrasting this with the approach during his tenure, which prioritized removing high-risk individuals from the country.
Concerns About Rapid Expansion and Training
Another major concern for Sandweg is the rapid expansion of ICE under the Trump administration. The former ICE chief noted that the administration has sought to double the agency’s workforce, but he worried this quick expansion could lead to a lack of proper background checks and inadequate training for new agents. “It would take the agency three or four years to hire this many people under normal circumstances,” Sandweg said, warning that this rapid hiring process could lead to problems down the line.
The Issue of Masks and Public Perception
A significant shift that Sandweg has noticed in the current ICE operations is the use of face masks by agents. This is something he did not see during his time at ICE, and he expressed concerns that the masks are contributing to negative public perceptions of the agency. “I hate that the agents are wearing the masks,” Sandweg said. “I think it is hurting the reputation of the agency, and feeding a lot of these narratives about the agency.”
A Call for Immigration Reform
While Sandweg sympathized with the agents, who may feel the need to protect their identities due to the increasingly hostile environment, he argued that the only way to resolve the issues facing ICE is to return to the more humane policies of previous administrations. He emphasized the need for a focus on removing the most dangerous undocumented immigrants first and pushing for comprehensive immigration reform to address the root causes of illegal immigration.
Ongoing Controversy Over Mass Deportations
Sandweg concluded that, unless these changes are made, the aggressive mass deportation efforts under the Trump administration will continue to fuel significant political and social unrest. “Unfortunately, I just don’t see a scenario where these continued, very aggressive, mass deportation efforts don’t remain incredibly contentious,” he said, calling for a return to more targeted enforcement and a shift in policy.