Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|US federal law enforcement agency}}
{{Short description|US federal law enforcement agency}}


'''U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement''' ('''ICE'''; {{IPAc-en|aɪ|s}}) is a [[Federal law enforcement in the United States|federal law enforcement agency]] under the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|U.S. Department of Homeland Security]]. ICE's stated mission is to protect the United States from cross-border crime and undocumented immigration that threaten [[National security of the United States|national security]] and public safety.<ref>{{cite web |title=What We Do |url=https://www.ice.gov/overview |website=U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |access-date=14 July 2019 |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604010102/https://www.ice.gov/overview |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Enforcement and Removal Operations |url=https://www.ice.gov/ero |website=U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref>
'''U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement''' ('''ICE''') is a [[Federal law enforcement in the United States|federal law enforcement agency]] under the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|U.S. Department of Homeland Security]]. ICE's stated mission is to protect the United States from cross-border crime and undocumented immigration that threaten [[National security of the United States|national security]] and public safety.<ref>{{cite web |title=What We Do |url=https://www.ice.gov/overview |website=U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |access-date=14 July 2019 |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604010102/https://www.ice.gov/overview |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Enforcement and Removal Operations |url=https://www.ice.gov/ero |website=U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref>


The ICE mission is executed through the enforcement of more than 400 federal statutes and focuses on customs violations, immigration enforcement, preventing terrorism and combating the illegal movement of people and goods.<ref>{{cite web |title=What We Do |url=https://www.ice.gov/overview  |publisher=U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement |access-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604010102/https://www.ice.gov/overview |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Enforcement and Removal Operations |url=https://www.ice.gov/ero#wcm-survey-target-id |publisher=U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement |access-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref> ICE has two primary and distinct law enforcement components, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), in addition to three supporting divisions: Management & Program Administration, Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) and Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ice.gov/about-ice |publisher=U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement |access-date=24 November 2021|title=Who We Are}}</ref>
The ICE mission is executed through the enforcement of more than 400 federal statutes and focuses on customs violations, immigration enforcement, preventing terrorism and combating the illegal movement of people and goods.<ref>{{cite web |title=What We Do |url=https://www.ice.gov/overview  |publisher=U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement |access-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604010102/https://www.ice.gov/overview |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Enforcement and Removal Operations |url=https://www.ice.gov/ero#wcm-survey-target-id |publisher=U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement |access-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref> ICE has two primary and distinct law enforcement components, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), in addition to three supporting divisions: Management & Program Administration, Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) and Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ice.gov/about-ice |publisher=U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement |access-date=24 November 2021|title=Who We Are}}</ref>
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==History==
==History==
[[File:ICE HQ in DC.jpg|thumb|left|ICE headquarters building in [[Washington, D.C.]]]]
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was formed under the [[Homeland Security Act]] of 2002, following the events of [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001]]. With the establishment of the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]], the functions and jurisdictions of several border and revenue enforcement agencies were combined and consolidated into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Consequently, ICE is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security and a contributor to the FBI's [[Joint Terrorism Task Force]].
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was formed under the [[Homeland Security Act]] of 2002, following the events of [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001]]. With the establishment of the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]], the functions and jurisdictions of several border and revenue enforcement agencies were combined and consolidated into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Consequently, ICE is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security and a contributor to the FBI's [[Joint Terrorism Task Force]].


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===Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)===
===Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)===
[[File:ICE HSI Special Response Team (SRT) training using armored vehicle.jpg|thumb|right|HSI Special Response Team (SRT) members training using armored vehicle at [[Fort Benning]] in Georgia]]
[[Homeland Security Investigations]] (HSI) is the primary investigative arm of Department of Homeland Security and consists of more than 10,300 employees who are assigned to over 235 cities throughout the U.S. and 90 international offices in more than 50 countries across the world. Approximately 6,000 Special Agents (Criminal Investigators) are included among the over 10,300 HSI employees, making it the second largest investigative service in the United States, behind the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.specialagents.org/|title=Special Agents Blog|website=www.specialagents.org}}</ref>
HSI is the primary investigative arm of Department of Homeland Security and consists of more than 10,300 employees who are assigned to over 235 cities throughout the U.S. and 90 international offices in more than 50 countries across the world. Approximately 6,000 Special Agents (Criminal Investigators) are included among the over 10,300 HSI employees, making it the second largest investigative service in the United States, behind the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.specialagents.org/|title=Special Agents Blog|website=www.specialagents.org}}</ref>


HSI special agents investigate violations of more than 400 U.S. laws that threaten the national security of the United States such as counter-proliferation; human smuggling and trafficking; weapons smuggling and export enforcement; narcotics smuggling and trafficking; document and benefit fraud; the manufacturing, sale, and use of counterfeit immigration and identity documents; human rights violations; [[Transnational gangs|transnational gang]] activity; financial crimes, including money laundering and bulk cash smuggling; cyber crime; child exploitation and sex tourism; trade crimes such as commercial fraud and [[intellectual property theft]]; smuggling of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and other merchandise; mass-marketing fraud; art theft; international cultural property and antiquities crimes; and visa security.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-ice-difficulties-20190319-story.html|title=ICE's investigative arm fears it might have a branding problem|last=Mejia|first=Brittny|date=March 19, 2019|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=March 19, 2019}}</ref> HSI agents can be requested to provide security for VIPs, and also augment the [[U.S. Secret Service]] during overtaxed times such as special security events and elections.
HSI special agents investigate violations of more than 400 U.S. laws that threaten the national security of the United States such as counter-proliferation; human smuggling and trafficking; weapons smuggling and export enforcement; narcotics smuggling and trafficking; document and benefit fraud; the manufacturing, sale, and use of counterfeit immigration and identity documents; human rights violations; [[Transnational gangs|transnational gang]] activity; financial crimes, including money laundering and bulk cash smuggling; cyber crime; child exploitation and sex tourism; trade crimes such as commercial fraud and [[intellectual property theft]]; smuggling of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and other merchandise; mass-marketing fraud; art theft; international cultural property and antiquities crimes; and visa security.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-ice-difficulties-20190319-story.html|title=ICE's investigative arm fears it might have a branding problem|last=Mejia|first=Brittny|date=March 19, 2019|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=March 19, 2019}}</ref> HSI agents can be requested to provide security for VIPs, and also augment the [[U.S. Secret Service]] during overtaxed times such as special security events and elections.
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===Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)===
===Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)===
{{see also|ICE Most Wanted}}
[[File:ICE Arrest.jpg|thumb|right|ICE ERO officers deporting a man to Mexico]]
[[File:ICE Arrest.jpg|thumb|right|ICE ERO officers deporting a man to Mexico]]
ERO is responsible for enforcing the nation's immigration laws and ensuring the departure of removable immigrants from the United States. ERO uses its detention and deportation officers to identify, arrest, and remove immigrants who violate U.S. immigration law. Deportation officers are responsible for the transportation and detention of immigrants in ICE custody to include the removal of immigrants to their country of origin. Deportation officers arrest immigrants for violations of U.S. immigration law, monitor cases during deportation proceedings, supervise released immigrants, and remove immigrants from the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ice.gov/careers/facesofice/conradagagan.htm |title=ICE Office of Detention and Removal (ERO) ICE Detention and Deportation Officer Conrad Agagan |publisher=Ice.gov |access-date=September 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527151046/http://www.ice.gov/careers/facesofice/ConradAgagan.htm|archive-date=May 27, 2010}}</ref>
[[Enforcement and Removal Operations]] (ERO) is responsible for enforcing the nation's immigration laws and ensuring the departure of removable immigrants from the United States. ERO uses its detention and deportation officers to identify, arrest, and remove immigrants who violate U.S. immigration law. Deportation officers are responsible for the transportation and detention of immigrants in ICE custody to include the removal of immigrants to their country of origin. Deportation officers arrest immigrants for violations of U.S. immigration law, monitor cases during deportation proceedings, supervise released immigrants, and remove immigrants from the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ice.gov/careers/facesofice/conradagagan.htm |title=ICE Office of Detention and Removal (ERO) ICE Detention and Deportation Officer Conrad Agagan |publisher=Ice.gov |access-date=September 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527151046/http://www.ice.gov/careers/facesofice/ConradAgagan.htm|archive-date=May 27, 2010}}</ref>


Deportation officers operate strategically placed Fugitive Operations Teams whose function is to locate, apprehend, and remove immigrants who have absconded from immigration proceedings and remain in the United States with outstanding warrants for deportation. Due to limited staffing, ERO Fugitive Operations typically target illegal immigrants with a history of serious criminal convictions (i.e. homicide, sexual assaults, aggravated felonies).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fugitive Operations|url=https://www.ice.gov/identify-and-arrest/fugitive-operations|access-date=2021-11-25|website=www.ice.gov|language=en}}</ref> ERO Officers do not randomly target illegal immigrants for detention and civil arrest due to current case law and internal policies.
Deportation officers operate strategically placed Fugitive Operations Teams whose function is to locate, apprehend, and remove immigrants who have absconded from immigration proceedings and remain in the United States with outstanding warrants for deportation. Due to limited staffing, ERO Fugitive Operations typically target illegal immigrants with a history of serious criminal convictions (i.e. homicide, sexual assaults, aggravated felonies).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fugitive Operations|url=https://www.ice.gov/identify-and-arrest/fugitive-operations|access-date=2021-11-25|website=www.ice.gov|language=en}}</ref> ERO Officers do not randomly target illegal immigrants for detention and civil arrest due to current case law and internal policies.
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===Other ICE Divisions===
===Other ICE Divisions===
The Office of State, Local and Tribal Coordination (OSLTC) is ICE's primary outreach and communications component for state, local and tribal stakeholders. It is responsible for building and improving relationships, and coordinating activities with state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies and through public engagement. It also fosters and sustains relationships with federal, state and local government officials and coordinates ICE ACCESS programs (Agreements of Cooperation in Communities to Enhance Safety and Security).


The Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) provides legal advice, training and services to support the ICE mission and defends the interests of the United States in the administrative and federal courts.
==== Office of State, Local and Tribal Coordination ====
The [[Office of State, Local and Tribal Coordination]] (OSLTC) is ICE's primary outreach and communications component for state, local and tribal stakeholders. It is responsible for building and improving relationships, and coordinating activities with state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies and through public engagement. It also fosters and sustains relationships with federal, state and local government officials and coordinates ICE ACCESS programs (Agreements of Cooperation in Communities to Enhance Safety and Security).


The Office of Professional Responsibility is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct involving employees of ICE.
==== Office of the Principal Legal Advisor ====
The [[Office of the Principal Legal Advisor]] (OPLA) provides legal advice, training and services to support the ICE mission and defends the interests of the United States in the administrative and federal courts.


ICE Air is the aviation division of ICE that charters aircraft or books commercial flights to send deportees back to their home countries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ice.gov/factsheets/ice-air-operations|title=ICE Air Operations|website=www.ice.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref><ref name="cnn.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2017/10/11/ice-air-deportation-flight-ts-orig.cnn|title=A rare look inside a deportation flight – CNN Video|website=CNN|date=October 13, 2017}}</ref> There are 10 aircraft used to send deportees and has a working list of 185 countries.<ref name="cnn.com"/> Deportees have legs and arms secured while boarding, handcuffs are removed during flight and all shackles removed upon disembarking.
==== Office of Professional Responsibility ====
The [[Office of Professional Responsibility]] is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct involving employees of ICE.


ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC) is a division that is responsible for providing direct patient care to approximately 13,500 detainees housed in 21 detention facilities throughout the nation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ice.gov/ice-health-service-corps|title=ICE Health Service Corps|website=www.ice.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-10-30}}</ref> Their stated mission is to provide the best care to those in ICE custody, practicing on the core values of Integrity, Commitment, Accountability, Service, and Excellence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ice.gov/features/health-service-corps|title=ICE Health Service Corps|website=www.ice.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-11-13}}</ref> The IHSC team is made up of around 1,000 members that consist of US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers, healthcare professionals, and federal civil service workers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ice.gov/ero/ihsc|title=ICE Health Service Corps|website=www.ice.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-10-30}}</ref>
==== ICE Air ====
[[ICE Air]] is the aviation division of ICE that charters aircraft or books commercial flights to send deportees back to their home countries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ice.gov/factsheets/ice-air-operations|title=ICE Air Operations|website=www.ice.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref><ref name="cnn.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2017/10/11/ice-air-deportation-flight-ts-orig.cnn|title=A rare look inside a deportation flight – CNN Video|website=CNN|date=October 13, 2017}}</ref> There are 10 aircraft used to send deportees and has a working list of 185 countries.<ref name="cnn.com" /> Deportees have legs and arms secured while boarding, handcuffs are removed during flight and all shackles removed upon disembarking.
 
==== ICE Health Service Corps ====
[[ICE Health Service Corps]] (IHSC) is a division that is responsible for providing direct patient care to approximately 13,500 detainees housed in 21 detention facilities throughout the nation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ice.gov/ice-health-service-corps|title=ICE Health Service Corps|website=www.ice.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-10-30}}</ref> Their stated mission is to provide the best care to those in ICE custody, practicing on the core values of Integrity, Commitment, Accountability, Service, and Excellence.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ice.gov/features/health-service-corps|title=ICE Health Service Corps|website=www.ice.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-11-13}}</ref> The IHSC team is made up of around 1,000 members that consist of US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officers, healthcare professionals, and federal civil service workers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ice.gov/ero/ihsc|title=ICE Health Service Corps|website=www.ice.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-10-30}}</ref>


===Former units===
===Former units===
The [[Federal Air Marshal Service]] (FAMS) was aligned into ICE shortly after the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. On October 16, 2005, Homeland Security Secretary [[Michael Chertoff]] officially approved the transfer of the Federal Air Marshal Service from the Bureau of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the TSA as part of a broader departmental reorganization to align functions consistent with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) "Second Stage Review" findings for:
 
==== Federal Air Marshal Service ====
The [[Federal Air Marshal Service]] (FAMS) was aligned into ICE shortly after the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. On October 16, 2005, Homeland Security Secretary [[Michael Chertoff]] officially approved the transfer of the Federal Air Marshal Service from the Bureau of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the [[TSA]] as part of a broader departmental reorganization to align functions consistent with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) "Second Stage Review" findings for:


*consolidating and strengthening aviation law enforcement and security at the Federal level;
*consolidating and strengthening aviation law enforcement and security at the Federal level;
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As part of this realignment, the Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service also became the Assistant Administrator for the TSA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), which houses nearly all TSA law enforcement services.
As part of this realignment, the Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service also became the Assistant Administrator for the TSA Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), which houses nearly all TSA law enforcement services.


==== Federal Protective Service ====
The [[Federal Protective Service (United States)|Federal Protective Service]] (FPS) was moved from the [[General Services Administration]] (GSA) to ICE upon the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The FPS was later moved out of ICE to the National Protection Programs Directorate.
The [[Federal Protective Service (United States)|Federal Protective Service]] (FPS) was moved from the [[General Services Administration]] (GSA) to ICE upon the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The FPS was later moved out of ICE to the National Protection Programs Directorate.


==== Office of Air and Marine ====
Originally a part of the U.S. Customs Service's Office of Investigations, the [[Office of Air and Marine]] (then called the Air and Marine Interdiction Division) was transferred to ICE in 2003 during the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, becoming the Office of Air and Marine Operations. Due in part to a 500 million dollar budgetary dispute between CBP and ICE, in 2004 ICE Air and Marine Operations was transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. CBP Air and Marine still works closely with ICE to support the agency's domestic and international law enforcement operations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbp.gov/hot-new/pressrel/2001/0316-00.htm |title=2000 Archived Press Releases |publisher=Customs and Border Protection |date=March 16, 2001 |access-date=June 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041223213853/http://www.cbp.gov/hot-new/pressrel/2001/0316-00.htm |archive-date=December 23, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govexec.com/magazine/features/2006/03/management-mess/21284/ |title=Management Mess – Features – Magazine |publisher=GovExec.com |date=March 1, 2006 |access-date=June 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbp.gov/xp/CustomsToday/2004/oct_nov/other/welcome_air.xml |title=CBP Today – October/November 2004 – Welcome Air and Marine Operations |publisher=Customs and Border Protection |date=October 31, 2004 |access-date=June 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023174551/http://www.cbp.gov/xp/CustomsToday/2004/oct_nov/other/welcome_air.xml |archive-date=October 23, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.govexec.com/magazine/features/2006/03/wasted-year/21283/ |title=Wasted Year |publisher=GovExec.com |date=March 2006 |access-date=June 18, 2013}}</ref>
Originally a part of the U.S. Customs Service's Office of Investigations, the [[Office of Air and Marine]] (then called the Air and Marine Interdiction Division) was transferred to ICE in 2003 during the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, becoming the Office of Air and Marine Operations. Due in part to a 500 million dollar budgetary dispute between CBP and ICE, in 2004 ICE Air and Marine Operations was transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. CBP Air and Marine still works closely with ICE to support the agency's domestic and international law enforcement operations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbp.gov/hot-new/pressrel/2001/0316-00.htm |title=2000 Archived Press Releases |publisher=Customs and Border Protection |date=March 16, 2001 |access-date=June 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041223213853/http://www.cbp.gov/hot-new/pressrel/2001/0316-00.htm |archive-date=December 23, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.govexec.com/magazine/features/2006/03/management-mess/21284/ |title=Management Mess – Features – Magazine |publisher=GovExec.com |date=March 1, 2006 |access-date=June 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbp.gov/xp/CustomsToday/2004/oct_nov/other/welcome_air.xml |title=CBP Today – October/November 2004 – Welcome Air and Marine Operations |publisher=Customs and Border Protection |date=October 31, 2004 |access-date=June 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023174551/http://www.cbp.gov/xp/CustomsToday/2004/oct_nov/other/welcome_air.xml |archive-date=October 23, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.govexec.com/magazine/features/2006/03/wasted-year/21283/ |title=Wasted Year |publisher=GovExec.com |date=March 2006 |access-date=June 18, 2013}}</ref>


==== Office of Detention Policy and Planning ====
The Office of Detention Policy and Planning was responsible developing and maintaining ICE's National Detention Standards, which set out detailed rules for how immigration detainees were to be treated differently than criminal inmates.<ref name=NYT14april17>{{cite news|last1=Dickerson|first1=Caitlin|title=Trump Plan Would Curtail Protections for Detained Immigrants |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/13/us/detained-immigrants-may-face-harsher-conditions-under-trump.html|access-date=April 15, 2017 |work=The New York Times|date=April 14, 2017|page=A1}}</ref> In April 2017, President [[Donald Trump]] decided to close the office and to stop including the standards in new jail contracts.<ref name=NYT14april17/>
The Office of Detention Policy and Planning was responsible developing and maintaining ICE's National Detention Standards, which set out detailed rules for how immigration detainees were to be treated differently than criminal inmates.<ref name=NYT14april17>{{cite news|last1=Dickerson|first1=Caitlin|title=Trump Plan Would Curtail Protections for Detained Immigrants |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/13/us/detained-immigrants-may-face-harsher-conditions-under-trump.html|access-date=April 15, 2017 |work=The New York Times|date=April 14, 2017|page=A1}}</ref> In April 2017, President [[Donald Trump]] decided to close the office and to stop including the standards in new jail contracts.<ref name=NYT14april17/>