The Wall Street Journal reports U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is asserting new authority to enter homes without a judicial warrant. The policy relies on administrative warrants to establish probable cause regarding immigration status, bypassing traditional court oversight. Internal DHS memos suggest final deportation orders provide sufficient legal basis for forced entry.

This marks a sharp departure from decades of precedent protecting Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches. The move comes under the second Trump administration, which has expanded ICE operations amid historic funding increases. Officials claim a focus on convicted criminals, though scrutiny has grown over detentions of individuals without prior records.

A fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by an ICE agent in Minneapolis has ignited nationwide protests and accusations of racial profiling. The administration views the expanded authority as essential for fulfilling mass deportation promises. The policy remains legally contentious, as immigration judges are Justice Department employees rather than independent judiciary members.