A memorandum issued on July 8, 2025, by Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons directs immigration officers to detain undocumented immigrants throughout the entirety of their removal proceedings. This new policy applies to individuals who entered the U.S. without authorization over the past several decades, regardless of the administration in power at the time.
Under the revised guidelines, bond hearings—once a common option for many immigrants—are now largely eliminated. Parole will only be considered in rare cases, at the discretion of ICE officers. The shift stems from a new interpretation of immigration law that requires mandatory detention following arrest.