By Trendsetter Tribune 
An internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) memo dated May 12 has revealed a major shift in enforcement policy, allowing agents to forcibly enter homes without judge-signed warrants in certain deportation cases.
The document, attributed to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons and shared with Congress by whistleblowers, states that agents may use administrative warrants to arrest individuals with final orders of removal inside their residences. Administrative warrants differ from judicial warrants and are not approved by judges for home entry.
ICE says the policy applies only to individuals who have already received full legal review and final removal orders. Agents are instructed to knock, announce their identity, and use reasonable force, generally between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
However, whistleblower advocates and legal experts warn the directive may conflict with Fourth Amendment protections. Senator Richard Blumenthal called the memo alarming, saying it undermines long-standing limits on government authority to enter private homes.
The memo surfaced amid increased immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s second term, which has led to protests and heightened scrutiny of ICE practices nationwide.