Vice President JD Vance has come under fire for his defense of a leaked Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo that authorizes ICE agents to conduct home raids without obtaining a judicial warrant. Critics argue that this policy violates the Fourth Amendment's protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, citing the distinction between administrative warrants issued by immigration judges versus judicial warrants signed by judges.
According to Vance, administrative warrants can be used to enforce immigration laws in the country, as long as they are authorized by an administrative order or a court decision. However, critics argue that these warrants do not allow for entry into homes without consent. The National Immigration Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina have stated that administrative warrants cannot be used to conduct warrantless searches.
Despite this, Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin has defended the policy, claiming that those served with administrative warrants have had "full due process" and a final order of removal from an immigration judge. However, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) has called for congressional hearings over the memo, labeling it "unlawful & morally repugnant."
The ICE memo in question was first reported by the Associated Press and appears to have been used to train new ICE officers instead of written training materials that contradict the policy. While the exact number of home raids conducted under administrative warrants is unknown, multiple reports have surfaced of ICE agents entering homes without warrants in Minnesota, where protests have erupted following a federal officer's fatal shooting.
Vance has acknowledged that the courts may ultimately rule against the policy, stating that he would follow any law passed by Congress. However, for critics, the issue remains one of principle and the erosion of civil liberties, particularly in the context of immigration enforcement.
According to Vance, administrative warrants can be used to enforce immigration laws in the country, as long as they are authorized by an administrative order or a court decision. However, critics argue that these warrants do not allow for entry into homes without consent. The National Immigration Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina have stated that administrative warrants cannot be used to conduct warrantless searches.
Despite this, Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin has defended the policy, claiming that those served with administrative warrants have had "full due process" and a final order of removal from an immigration judge. However, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) has called for congressional hearings over the memo, labeling it "unlawful & morally repugnant."
The ICE memo in question was first reported by the Associated Press and appears to have been used to train new ICE officers instead of written training materials that contradict the policy. While the exact number of home raids conducted under administrative warrants is unknown, multiple reports have surfaced of ICE agents entering homes without warrants in Minnesota, where protests have erupted following a federal officer's fatal shooting.
Vance has acknowledged that the courts may ultimately rule against the policy, stating that he would follow any law passed by Congress. However, for critics, the issue remains one of principle and the erosion of civil liberties, particularly in the context of immigration enforcement.