In February and March 2013, media sources reported U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released hundreds of immigration detainees, including detainees with criminal convictions. The publicized releases occurred the weekend before sequestration went into effect on March 1, 2013, generating speculation that the releases were improperly motivated. We determined that the following factors influenced ICE’s decision to release 2,226 immigration detainees between February 9 and March 1, 2013.
Executive Summary
Report Number
OIG-14-116
Issue Date
Document File
DHS Agency
Oversight Area
Fiscal Year
2014