Apr 7, 2020 - Health

ICE has released more than 160 immigrants due to coronavirus outbreak

Stef W. Kight

Kevin, a Honduran detainee at a Detention Center, gave an interview at an ICE facility — A Honduran detainee at a detention center. Photo: Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post via Getty Images

As of the end of March, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had identified 600 undocumented immigrants in its custody who are vulnerable to the coronavirus and released more than 160 of them, the agency confirmed to Axios.

Between the lines: Federal judges had forced ICE to release at-risk immigrants. Now, decisions "to release individuals in ICE custody occur every day,” ICE told Axios in a statement.

The agency is evaluating and considering releasing immigrants who are 60 years or older, pregnant or otherwise at risk of severe illness from the virus.
The news was first reported by BuzzFeed's Hamed Aleaziz.

Add Axios on Google

ICE has released more than 160 immigrants due to coronavirus outbreak

What to read next