Los Angeles,CA – August 3,2023 – U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a high-profile operation in Los Angeles on Wednesday, August 2, targeting undocumented workers, and broadcast via Fox News. This action follows a recent federal court injunction in California at the end of July halting similar ICE “punch” operations, which human rights groups and legal advocates have characterized as aggressive and unlawful tactics.
Despite the legal challenges, ICE continues to intensify enforcement efforts. Data indicates a significant decrease in illegal border crossings since President donald Trump took office in January 2017.According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) statistics,apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border fell from approximately 300,000 in january 2017 to a low of around 25,000 by April 2017.
Concurrently, the number of individuals held in immigration detention centers has surged. An analysis of ICE data reveals a record high of 60,254 detainees in June 2023, compared to 40,500 in January 2017. These figures represent a 48.5% increase in detention capacity during this period. The Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County, California, and the Otay detention Center in San Diego County are among the facilities experiencing increased populations.
ICE is actively seeking to expand its workforce. Department officials reported receiving over 80,000 applications for ICE positions this week,substantially exceeding the available vacancies. The agency currently has approximately 10,000 positions to fill across various roles, including deportation officers, detention officers, and administrative personnel.
Adding an unusual dimension to ICE’s public profile, actor Dean Cain, known for his role as Superman in the 1990s television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, publicly announced his support for the agency and President Trump’s immigration policies on Wednesday. Cain stated his involvement through a video released on social media, citing a desire to support “patriots” within ICE.
Cain’s endorsement reflects a growing trend of public figures aligning themselves with the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda. The actor’s involvement is likely intended to bolster public support for ICE amidst ongoing criticism regarding its tactics and the conditions within detention facilities. The ACLU of Southern California has been a vocal critic of ICE operations in the region, filing lawsuits challenging the agency’s practices.
