The United States immigration authorities have been granted the power to arrest individuals at schools, churches, and hospitals.
This followed President Donald Trump administration’s reversal of policies that previously classified these locations as off-limits for enforcement.
This order is coming some 24 hours after the president, via Executive Orders, announcing the withdrawal of the US from the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the abrogation of birth rights citizenship.
The latest policy change of arrest in schools and churches ends more than a decade of restrictions that protected these “sensitive areas.”
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, announced the change in a statement, emphasising the importance of eliminating spaces where individuals could evade arrest.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest.
“The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense,” the statement said, as reported by foreign media platform, the Guardian on Tuesday.
The new directive, issued by Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman, also reinstates the use of expedited removal nationwide.
Under this policy, ICE is empowered to quickly deport undocumented individuals who cannot prove they have resided in the United States continuously for more than two years.
The changes align with a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration.
This week, the president signed several executive actions, including measures to suspend the refugee system, block access to an app used for facilitating entry into the US, and strengthen cooperation between ICE and local governments.
As part of this initiative, ICE agents are set to conduct nationwide operations to arrest and deport undocumented individuals.
Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, confirmed in an interview that these efforts would begin immediately, stating that ICE officers across the country would be actively enforcing immigration laws.
Advocacy groups have voiced strong opposition to the new policies. The Center for Law and Social Policy warned of severe repercussions for immigrant families, particularly those with US-citizen children.
The organisation expressed concern that the changes could deter families from seeking medical care, disaster relief, and education and may increase the likelihood of children witnessing traumatic encounters with immigration officials.
Religious leaders have also spoken out against the policy. During a sermon at an inaugural prayer service, the Episcopal bishop of Washington urged the administration to show compassion toward immigrants and vulnerable populations.
…Panama on threat to seize canal
Meanwhile, Panama has filed a formal complaint with the United Nations regarding Trump’s “worrying” threat to take control of the Panama Canal.
According to the New York Times, the Panamanian government asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to refer the matter to the UN Security Council in a letter dated Monday, 20 January.
The Central American country said it never broke the 1999 agreement and did not hand over control of the canal to China as Donald Trump has claimed.
| Months before his inauguration, President Trump began declaring his intention to reassert US control over the Panama Canal. |
He accused Panama of violating commitments made during the final transfer of the strategic waterway in 1999 and also handing over its operations to China.
In his inaugural address, Trump reaffirmed this stance, invoking the 19th-century expansionist doctrine of “Manifest Destiny” as he outlined plans for reclaiming strategic assets and advancing space exploration.
“We didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” he said.
However, Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino Quintero, was quoted as saying the country has administered the canal responsibly for world trade, including for the US.
President Mulino said on behalf of his country and people, “I must reject in its entirety the words expressed by President Donald Trump regarding Panama and its Canal in his inaugural address.”
“The canal is and will continue to be Panama’s,” he was quoted as saying.
He also stated that the canal was not a gift from the United States as it originally belonged to Panama.
Meanwhile, Panama’s Comptroller’s Office, which oversees public institutions, announced plans to launch a comprehensive audit of the Panama Canal’s operations. The audit aims to ensure the efficient and transparent management of public resources by the Panama Ports Company.
According to the office, the review will assess whether the company is adhering to its concession agreements, including proper income reporting, payments, and contributions to the state.
The Panama Canal is a waterway that allows ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans without navigating the southern tip of South America.
It is located in central Panama, cutting through the Panama Isthmus, a narrow landmass connecting North and South America.
The canal is Panama’s primary source of revenue, generating billions of dollars annually through tolls paid by ships passing through. This income supports the country’s economy and public spending. (With Additional reports from Premium Times)
