ICE should release detainees

Detainees are overwhelmingly low-risk immigrants without criminal histories

Graph of the growing number of ICE detainees without criminal convictions.
Source: TRAC Report 583 Table 1, Syracuse University.

Alternatives to detention are much cheaper

Cost comparison graphic of detention ($137), FCMP ($36), and ISAP ($4).
Source: Congressional Research Service, July 8, 2019. Costs are from an email from ICE to the CRS on August 21, 2018.

Lowering detention numbers allows social distancing for those still detained

Release half of the current ICE detainees before the end of next week

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Source: Our World in Data, as of March 27, 2020.
CGO scholars and fellows frequently comment on a variety of topics for the popular press. The views expressed therein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Center for Growth and Opportunity or the views of Utah State University.