Story perspectives

Trump Expands ICE Powers, Targets Lawful Refugees

2/19/2026

Center

Trump Expands ICE Powers

U.S. President Donald Trump expanded the powers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain lawful refugees awaiting green cards, per a memo dated February 18, 2025.
The memo requires refugees to return to custody for re-vetting one year after admission.
Officials say the policy will assess national security threats or fraudulent status.
Critics argue the move reverses long-standing policies and unjustly targets people fleeing persecution.

Right

Judge Limits ICE Retention

A federal judge ruled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cannot re-detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia after his 90-day detention expired and there is no viable deportation plan.
Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national, fights a second deportation after being returned to El Salvador, where he faces gang threats.
The judge criticized the government's repeated failed attempts to deport him to African countries, saying removal is unlikely in the foreseeable future.

History

Historical Context

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished national origin quotas, significantly reshaping U.S. immigration policy. Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 3, 1965, it allowed increased immigration from Latin America and Asia, leading to over 300,000 Salvadorans entering the U.S. by the 1980s. This shift has influenced contemporary immigration enforcement and the legal landscape for asylum seekers.

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Trump Expands ICE Powers

U.S. President Donald Trump expanded the powers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain lawful refugees awaiting green cards, per a memo dated February 18, 2025.
The memo requires refugees to return to custody for re-vetting one year after admission.
Officials say the policy will assess national security threats or fraudulent status.
Critics argue the move reverses long-standing policies and unjustly targets people fleeing persecution.

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