As the Biden administration prepares to leave office, it is quietly rolling out a series of immigration policy changes that will make it easier for migrants who entered the U.S. illegally to avoid deportation and continue living in the country. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of an ICE Portal app in New York City, which will allow migrants to bypass in-person check-ins with ICE officers. This is part of an effort to make it more difficult for President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration to carry out its promised immigration crackdowns.

The app, slated to launch in December, has raised concerns among Homeland Security sources who warn that it could help migrants evade authorities. During pilot testing, the app has proven to be glitchy and unreliable. The app doesn’t track past arrests or outstanding warrants, unlike the current system that requires in-person check-ins, which can flag migrant criminals even if they fail to show up for their appointments.

🚨 How is this as a parting gift from the Biden administration?

NYPost: "Biden admin quietly loosening immigration policies before Trump takes office — including letting migrants skip ICE check-ins in NYC"

WHY? ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/73aq0prhOO

— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) November 21, 2024

Under the new system, migrants who have been released into the U.S. would be able to skip their mandatory ICE check-ins by using the app, which may make it harder for law enforcement to track their whereabouts. According to sources, the app doesn’t require migrants to provide their current address or report their GPS location accurately, leaving ICE agents with less information about the migrants’ movements.

These changes come as the Biden administration pushes through a handful of initiatives before Trump’s inauguration. Among these is a plan to allow migrants to challenge electronic monitoring, such as ankle bracelets, while they await their immigration hearings. The loosened regulations will allow migrants to request a review of their monitoring status and could even lead to the removal of tracking devices altogether.

NEW: The Biden admin has quietly loosened immigration policies before Trump takes office, allowing migrants to “flee authorities” according to the New York Post.

The Biden admin is launching a new ICE Portal app, allowing migrants to bypass in-person check-ins.

"Homeland… pic.twitter.com/xk37CDEzSA

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 21, 2024

Experts warn that these new policies could create significant challenges for the incoming administration. Former officials have criticized the outgoing administration’s actions as an attempt to create roadblocks for Trump’s promised crackdown on illegal immigration. Some believe that these changes will slow down efforts to tighten immigration controls, potentially creating legal challenges and procedural hurdles that could delay enforcement.

For New York City, the launch of the ICE Portal app marks the next step in an ongoing struggle with the number of illegal migrants living in the city. With over 223,000 migrants arriving in the city, many of whom are currently housed in taxpayer-funded shelters, these changes could further complicate the city’s efforts to manage the growing migrant population.