ICE deported more than 4,000 known or suspected gang members in fiscal year 2020, including hundreds belonging to the MS-13 gang, the agency said in a new report.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement report on the end of the year for FY 2020 shows that the agency, which has come under fire from activists and lawmakers under the Trump administration, deported 185,884 immigrants.
OFFERED OFFICIALS URGE CAUTION ON ‘DAY ONE’ IMMIGRATION CHANGES, SOME WILL ‘TAKE TIME’
Of this number, 64% had either criminal convictions or pending criminal charges – 399,235 foreigners.
According to the report, 4,276 known or suspected gang members, including 675, are known or believed to have been members of the brutal gang MS-13.
In addition, 31 were known or suspected terrorists. Among the high-profile cases were the removal of Saudin Agani in September, who ICE said provided material support to a terrorist organization, and the next of kin of the suspect who attacked two officers in New York earlier this year.
ICE REMOVES TWO DEPOSITED MEXICAN NATIONAL TAKEN INTO WASHINGTON FOR FRAUDING FUNCTIONAL CHILDREN
The agency has faced years of calls to abolish it through an “Abolish ICE” movement that included congressional Democratic lawmakers and even former presidential candidates.
ICE officials have pushed back against this movement as well as against “sanctuary cities” banning cooperation with ICE. Officials have noted that the vast majority of those they arrest and deport have rapark and have often highlighted some of the worst offenders they have deported.
Elected President Joe Biden promised to impose a 100-day moratorium on deportations from the ICE as well as review practices when it comes to targeting and deporting them into the country illegally.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He promised to introduce a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, while expanding protection against deportation under the Defered Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
However, his team also showed caution. In response to a Spanish wire service this week, officials warned that changes in immigration policies – particularly those relating to asylum – could take time.