ICE Changes Report on Secure Communities Statistics

The federal government's Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency recently changed the way it reports monthly statistics on people detained for possible deportation. 

ICE publishes statistics on its IDENT/IAFIS database, which allows Wisconsin local law enforcement officers to check the immigration status of anyone suspected of a crime. Through July 31, Wisconsin authories screened 89,035 suspects and identified 1,482 possible illegal immigrants, according to ICE data. Of those identified, 137 have been forced to leave the U.S. 

ICE reguarly reports how many people it detains and deports, breaking down detainees by the severity of crimes they are accused. Level 1 crimes are serious felonies, Level 2 crimes are typically misdemeanors, and Level 3 crimes are traffic stops.

Nationwide, 32,850 illegal immigrants accused of serious crimes were deported from the country this year, according to ICE data. More people, however, were deported for traffic offenses. A total of 38,430 people were deported after being stopped by police for traffic violations.

Missing from ICE's latest IDENT statistics is a breakdown of who is being held in detention centers around the country waiting for a deportation hearing. Last year, ICE reported the number of people sent to detention centers by level of crime; the stats showed roughly 49,000 people with traffic or non-criminal offenses were held in detention centers around the country. The latest 2011 report omits the level of crime immigration detainees are charged with. 

The change in ICE reporting may coincide with President Barack Obama's announcement that federal prosecutors could use discretion in evaluating cases against immigrants who are here illegally, but accused of minor offenses. The new statistics obscure who is being sent into immigration detention centers (including two in Wisconsin; one in Kenosha and a second in Dodge County) at a time when some are questioning stiff ICE enforcement against people stopped for traffic offenses and other minor crimes. 

The change is notable given the Obama administration's apparent change in policy. It may be a coincidence. Or it may be an attempt to obscure numbers that show most ICE detainees are in custody for offenses equivolent to a broken tail light.