Earlier this month, ICE Director Todd Lyons announced a new directive that requires all illegal aliens who unlawfully crossed the U.S.-Mexico border to remain in detention for the duration of their deportation proceedings.
Under the Biden Administration, aliens enjoyed what is known as the “catch and release” policy. They were free to do as they pleased during the time between being released from ICE and their deportation proceedings.
This was largely blamed on a lack of detention centers. However, since the passage of the Big, Beautiful Bill, funding is now available to hold illegals in custody until their trials. In fact, $45 billion is specifically earmarked for ICE detention space over the next four years.
According to TRAC Immigration, 57,861 illegal aliens were in ICE detention as of the end of June. With the influx of funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the number of available beds will increase to over 100,000. It was already the case that immigrants convicted of murder or other serious crimes could be detained without bond. The passage of the Laken Riley Act expanded that rule to include those charged with theft or other violent offenses, thus increasing the need for more detention centers.