February 20, 2017policy changeimmigration policycivil libertiesfederal enforcementimmigrationexecutive powercivil rights
Sessions rescinds Morton Memo, expanding ICE arrest authority to courts and other sensitive locations
Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued guidance rescinding the Morton Memo and directing ICE to enforce immigration law against all removable people regardless of criminal record or location. DHS Secretary John Kelly issued a parallel memo expanding enforcement priorities. ICE courthouse arrests increased substantially in the months that followed, with agents tracking down people appearing in state courts for unrelated criminal hearings.