Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents received verbal orders this week to stop arresting people without criminal records. This sudden shift caused shock and frustration among officers on the ground. Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that agents were told to focus only on the “worst first.” Some sources described the guidance as a major change to the deportation effort. The Daily Wire noted that officers believe this move aims to calm public anger before the midterms. According to one agent, the midterms coming up are what we believe it has something to do with, as reporters were told. Another source warned, “We’ll see the arrest numbers go down.”
The confusion stemmed from internal talks about prioritizing serious offenders. It was not a formal policy change but a miscommunication. New guidance arrived Saturday evening to clarify the situation. The administration wants agents to know the old rules still apply. Agents can still arrest anyone in the country illegally. This includes “collaterals” found during operations targeting other criminals.
I’ve spoken on the phone with President Trump and nine ICE & DHS sources about this today. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Yes, this verbal guidance did go out to ICE offices across the country last night. I’ve spoken with ICE agents who received it & were shocked & frustrated by it.… https://t.co/BVGsEbvjCu
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) September 27, 2026
President Donald Trump told Fox News that ICE retains the power to arrest and deport any illegal immigrant. He denied reports that the crackdown was being scaled back. The White House insists the aggressive agenda remains in full effect. On X, Melugin stated that immigration enforcement policy sees no change. This statement came after new instructions were sent to field offices nationwide. The goal is to ensure every agent knows the rules are unchanged. Trump has promised an expanded crackdown on illegal immigration. Officials say that effort has not been reduced in any way.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin faces questions about whether he told Trump before halting non-criminal arrests. Sources doubt leadership informed the President about the pause. Similar issues arose in July when traffic stops were briefly halted. Trump quickly restored those stops after speaking out against the pause. One source expressed hope that the President would fix the current situation. “I hope Trump finds out about this sh*t and puts an end to it,” the source said.
The administration has moved to stop the confusion once and for all. Federal agents will continue to arrest illegal immigrants without additional criminal histories. The policy to deport those with final orders but no criminal records is back in place. This restores the mass deportation effort that the public supports. The shift in public opinion on immigration has been a key factor. A Fox News poll shows Trump’s approval on immigration at 43 percent. That is down from a high of 48 percent last summer.
Leadership is now focused on ensuring agents follow the correct protocol. The verbal guidance that caused the alarm is officially revoked. New written instructions confirm the original enforcement priorities. Agents are reminded to wear body cameras during all arrests. This reminder follows a shooting in Austin last weekend. The officer involved was not wearing a camera at the time. The administration remains committed to its core immigration goals. There will be no more temporary pauses on arrests for non-criminals. The policy stands firm as of Saturday evening.
