According to documents obtained by the New York Post from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), there are an estimated 5.7 million non-detained immigrants living in the United States.
The documents reveal a taxpayer-funded program, known as Release and Reporting Management (RRM), which is designed to provide these immigrants with a range of services, including medical care, food, clothing, and housing.
The ICE documents indicate that the agency is currently responsible for monitoring close to 6 million immigrants in the country. The RRM program is intended to cater to "a large portion of the 5.7 million individuals on the current non-detained docket." This figure marks an increase of 2.4 million immigrants compared to the numbers overseen by ICE prior to President Biden's tenure.
The ICE estimate does not take into account immigrants currently detained at the border for processing or those awaiting deportation. The agency's documents specify that the "community services" provided under the RRM program include "referrals or direct services, covering at a minimum: legal assistance; psychosocial services; therapeutic services; medical services; food and clothing banks; housing; public transportation information; parental information; education information; and repatriation and reintegration services."
According to ICE, these services are designed to "increase participant compliance with immigration obligations through information, stabilization, and support." The level of assistance provided will be tailored to the individual needs of each participant, ranging from basic referrals to intensive direct assistance.
The RRM program is also seeking partnerships with private companies that can offer "robust monitoring technology." This includes biometric voiceprint check-in phone calls, smartphone biometric facial comparison, geolocation information, and ankle monitors.
Former ICE Director Tom Homan told the New York Post that the RRM program could potentially cost taxpayers "billions" to provide these "welfare" benefits to immigrants. "The RRM is just a push by the open border advocates to provide welfare benefits to 6 million people," Homan said.
In August, ICE sent out a request for information form to private companies to gauge their interest in participating in the RRM program. The program has not yet been launched and is still in the planning phase. By fiscal year 2024, Biden's ICE aims to send a request for proposal to vendors.
The RRM program is set to replace ICE's Alternatives to Detention initiative, which currently tracks 194,632 immigrants via GPS or other technology. The new program would necessitate additional funding. The New York Post reported that ICE did not respond to a request for comment.
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