Yet More Incentives for Illegal Aliens: Mixed Messages on ICE/CBP Websites

Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) official mission is to “Protect America through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety.” In tandem with other agencies, ICE helps upholds the broader mandate of Article I, Section 8, Clause 4, of the Constitution to “establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization.”

Logically, one might assume ICE’s website should reflect the clarity — and gravitas — of that responsibility as a deterrent for would-be illegal border crossers and traffickers checking the site to gauge opportunities and obstacles. 

That assumption would be wrong. In fact, the ICE site is a jumbled contradiction of enforcement jargon juxtaposed with accommodating tips for those residing in the U.S. illegally, who shouldn’t have been allowed in initially:

• While the ICE website has a small posting on its front page “Call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE to report suspicious activity” it also displays a large banner proudly announcing “ICE Online Address Tool for Non-Citizens Now Fully Operational.” This new option offers a convenient, reliable way for noncitizens (i.e., illegal aliens) to update address information as they await their removal proceedings. The website even offers further accommodation by giving “applicants” the courteous option of receiving their Notice to Appear (NTA) by mail, or in person by scheduling an appointment at an Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) field office. Evidently, ICE assumes illegal aliens are as excited about getting an NTA — and volunteering personal information to do so — as if they were expecting a new flat screen TV delivered from Amazon.
• Yes, the ICE website has a section describing how they enforce laws and combat transnational crime – and kudos to them for their service — but it also has a resource page for illegal aliens to help them locate an ICE office, or to change an appointment. “It is best to keep a scheduled appointment date, time, and location. If you can make the appointment time, but need to change the location of your appointment, please refer to the ICE Field Office list for a check-in location nearest you.”  Ah, if only your dentist’s office were this accommodating.

Of course, a cursory check of the ICE website is only part of the planning process for those contemplating illegal entry. The Customs and Border Protection website is another source for consideration, one that also leads to ambiguous conclusions. Its mission statement is certainly clear enough: “Protect the American people, safeguard our borders, and enhance the nation’s economic prosperity.” Yet, to enhance the ease of those determined to enter illegally, the website kindly mentions, “noncitizens located in Central or Northern Mexico who seek to travel to the United States may use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP One™ app to submit information in advance and schedule an appointment to present themselves at the below Southwest Borderland ports of entry.” Whereupon, of course, they will be waived in thanks to Biden’s wholesale abuse of parole authority.

Red, yellow, and green colored lights illuminated simultaneously is no way to administer traffic laws at busy intersections…particularly in areas where people are prone to break the law.

Of course, illegal aliens — and their enabling trafficking cartels — weigh other factors. And in that regard, overall conditions are not the least bit ambiguous; shortages of judges are causing backlogs in excess of 2 million immigration cases and seven year delays; 564 “sanctuary” jurisdictions exist throughout the United States; 18 states issue drivers licenses for illegal aliens; and E-Verify remains voluntary — thus jobs are plentiful.

And for those evaluating peer success, the sheer numbers are impressive. The Biden administration has granted parole to over “one million aliens in just over two years, including over 800,000 inadmissible aliens invited into the U.S. or apprehended at the border and released – and it’s just getting started.” And for those still undecided about whether an illegal crossing is worthwhile, it is hard to dismiss long-term successful outcomes; 16.8 million illegal aliens now reside in the United States (most unlikely to ever leave) representing a growth of 16 percent in just the first two years of the Biden administration.

Choosing to enter the United States illegally is always unethical, yet the decision to do so is based on a rational evaluation of risks, rewards and signals sent by U.S. officials: pause or proceed to be the operative question. But thanks to the Biden administration’s policies, and those put forth by mass immigration advocates at the state and local levels, that calculation is easy given that the current “traffic” signal at America’s border seems decisively green.