The New York Times reports that federal agents have been instructed that the FBI will no longer investigate confrontations involving ICE agents, a change both the Justice Department and Homeland Security have denied.
Key facts
- The New York Times reports the FBI will no longer investigate confrontations involving ICE agents.
- Federal agents were reportedly told of the change in guidance.
- Both the DOJ and DHS have denied any change in oversight has taken place.
- The reported change follows renewed scrutiny of violence by ICE agents.
The FBI will no longer investigate confrontations involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to a New York Times report cited by The Verge and CNBC. The Times reported that federal agents were told of the reported change in guidance.
Both the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have denied to The Times that any change in oversight or policy has taken place, according to reporting from CNBC and The Verge.
According to The Verge, the reported change in guidance follows renewed scrutiny of violence by ICE agents. The Verge noted that ICE agents had killed two people, though the full details of those cases were cut off in the available source text.
The conflicting accounts leave the situation unresolved in the public record. The New York Times, as relayed by both outlets, describes agents being informed of a shift, while the two federal departments responsible for the agencies involved reject that characterization.
As of the reporting, no further official confirmation of a formal policy change had been provided by the agencies. The available sources do not include additional detail on when any reported guidance took effect or which specific incidents prompted the reported shift.
Why it matters
The FBI has historically served as an independent check when questions arise about the conduct of other federal agents. A reported decision to stop investigating ICE confrontations, if accurate, would raise questions about accountability and oversight, which is why the denials from the DOJ and DHS are significant.
Frequently asked questions
What did the New York Times report about the FBI and ICE?
The New York Times reported that federal agents were told the FBI will no longer investigate confrontations involving ICE agents, according to The Verge and CNBC.
Have officials confirmed the change?
No. Both the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security denied to The Times that any change in oversight has taken place.
What prompted the reported change?
According to The Verge, the reported change in guidance follows renewed scrutiny of violence by ICE agents, who The Verge said had killed two people.