The Trump administration has directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to begin verifying whether certain migrants are complying with an existing federal online registry system—and to refer noncompliant cases to the Department of Justice for further action.
According to officials, the initiative applies to individuals who were previously released into the U.S. under supervision and are required to check in through a digital reporting platform. The move is part of a broader push to tighten immigration enforcement and ensure accountability among migrants awaiting court proceedings or other legal determinations.
ICE officers across the country have been instructed to cross-reference enrolled migrants with the system’s database and follow up with those who have failed to comply. Those who cannot be located or refuse to register could face legal consequences, including potential detention or removal proceedings.
Officials say the measure is designed to streamline case tracking and reinforce expectations for those under supervision, particularly amid growing concerns about backlogs in the immigration court system.
The new directive has already drawn both support and criticism. Advocates for stricter immigration enforcement praised the plan as a needed step to ensure oversight, while immigrant rights groups warned it could create fear among vulnerable communities and lead to unjust outcomes if not carefully administered.
The Department of Homeland Security has not disclosed how many individuals could be affected but confirmed that the effort is already underway. The Department of Justice is expected to take action in cases flagged by ICE in the coming weeks.