ICE broadens warrantless-arrest scope for encountered immigrants

A new ICE memo issued by acting director Todd Lyons expands the interpretive standard for “likely to escape,” allowing more warrantless arrests of people encountered during operations who are suspected of immigration violations but were not the original targets, enabling collateral arrests. Officers should consider factors such as evasive behavior, whether the person is in a vehicle, fraudulent documents, and prior illegal entry. The move comes amid growing backlash over ICE activity in Minnesota and other contexts.