In a significant shift from the previous administration's approach, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is implementing stricter measures to control the release of individuals in its custody. A key change involves requiring acting ICE director Caleb Vitello's personal approval for any release, marking a move towards tighter immigration control.

This policy shift comes amidst a surge in enforcement actions, with ICE conducting a nationwide operation leading to over 1,000 arrests daily. The agency is actively working to reverse what a senior official termed "bad habits" from the prior administration, likening the task to turning around the Titanic. The official emphasized that the new approach aims to rectify years of lax enforcement.

ICE is grappling with capacity limitations, currently holding just under 42,000 beds, which has been strained under the current influx. While the administration is working to expand detention capacity, the process of securing new facilities and personnel takes approximately 30 days. Despite these constraints, the White House confirmed the release of around 460 individuals out of over 8,000 apprehended, a percentage expected to decrease further with the new restrictions in place.

A senior ICE official expressed confidence that releases will "fall off a cliff" due to the new approval requirement, signaling a firmer stance on immigration enforcement. The official clarified that releases are limited to specific circumstances, such as pregnancy or severe illness like cancer, often due to the financial burden of medical care for detainees. National security and public safety threats are not released, with any exceptions subject to strict monitoring, including ankle bracelets.

In addition to limiting releases, ICE is actively seeking to expand detention capacity. The agency has requested approximately $575 million from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to expedite this process, aiming to reach a reported target of 100,000 beds and one million deportations annually. ICE is also exploring alternative housing options, including collaborating with the Bureau of Prisons and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and utilizing facilities like Guantanamo Bay, which reportedly has around 30,000 spaces available.

Reinstating family detention, discontinued in 2021, poses a significant challenge. Re-establishing these facilities and contracts takes time, as noted by an official, highlighting the complexity of reversing previous policy decisions. Furthermore, ICE is working with the State Department to expedite travel documents for deportation, alongside new agreements with countries like Venezuela and Colombia to accept deported individuals. Guatemala's recent agreement to accept migrants from other countries as a safe third country further exemplifies this international collaboration.

These developments coincide with new border restrictions announced by Mexico and Canada in response to potential U.S. tariffs, indicating a broader shift in North American border policies.