Operation Ruby Slippers, the largest mass deportation in the United States since 1954, is set to send home a significant number of undocumented immigrants. A recent poll showed that a majority of Americans support this action. The Department of Homeland Security has already begun, removing or returning over 893,600 individuals, with a majority of those encountered at the Southwest Border over the past three years also being removed, returned, or expelled.
Lawmakers like U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales have raised questions about the number of noncitizens with criminal histories being removed, prompting ICE to reveal that there are currently 662,566 individuals with criminal histories on their docket. A proposed operation with strong public support, named Operation Ruby Slippers, would focus on removing noncitizens who have been convicted of serious crimes such as assault, robbery, sexual assault, and homicide, among others.
With an overwhelmed Enforcement and Removal Operations docket and limitations on detention capacity, agencies like ICE and CBP are struggling to address the influx of migrants and the potential risks associated with releasing noncitizens without identification into the country. The DHS inspector general recommended a comprehensive analysis of these risks, but CBP and ICE rejected the recommendations citing concerns about exceeding their detention capacity.
The government’s terminology in addressing these issues continues to evolve, with a shift from the term “alien” to “noncitizen.” This approach aims to address the challenges posed by the current immigration situation, but questions still remain about the government’s ability to effectively enforce immigration laws and maintain public safety.
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