--- title: "ICE arrest guidance rescinded after backlash" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/ice-arrest-guidance-rescinded-after-backlash" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/ice-arrest-guidance-rescinded-after-backlash" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/ice-arrest-guidance-rescinded-after-backlash.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/ice-arrest-guidance-rescinded-after-backlash" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-29T22:46:06.477Z" source_reported: "2026-09-29T21:50:04.000Z" updated: "2026-09-29T22:46:06.477Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 60 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-29T22:30:30.001453+00:00" --- # ICE arrest guidance rescinded after backlash *Internal directive to narrow enforcement was short-lived, prompting criticism from immigration hardliners.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to multiple sources, with specific individuals quoted, but origin of guidance remains unclear. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Reports include quotes from affected parties and explain the context and potential consequences of the events. - Hype 60 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use urgent language like 'BREAKING' and 'Firestorm' which is not fully supported by the reporting. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - An internal verbal directive to narrow Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) interior enforcement to illegal immigrants with criminal histories was rescinded within hours. - The guidance was rescinded following backlash from immigration hardliners and groups like the Mass Deportation Coalition. - President Trump stated there had been no change in the administration's enforcement posture. - The White House has not immediately responded regarding who issued the verbal guidance or why it was relayed. An internal verbal directive that would have narrowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) interior enforcement to illegal immigrants with criminal histories was rescinded within hours. The guidance had been relayed to ICE field offices nationwide. Administration officials later characterised the episode as a misunderstanding rather than a formal policy change. New guidance reaffirming that enforcement policy had not changed was sent within hours. The reversal came after figures in the immigration enforcement community publicly criticised the directive. Mike Howell, a leader of the Mass Deportation Coalition, told Fox News that public criticism helped force the reversal. Howell cited a post from DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin regarding operations in Kansas, which followed ICE operations that drew complaints from Senator Roger Marshall, R-Kan., who stated DHS had failed to coordinate with local authorities. President Trump, when asked about the matter by Fox News, said there had been no change in an enforcement posture that prioritises, but is not limited to, the "worst first." The White House did not immediately respond to questions about who issued the verbal guidance or why it was relayed to field offices before being rescinded. The instruction was verbal, not written, which complicates efforts to trace its origin. ## Disagreement on the directive's origin Next News Network reported that it remains unclear who initially issued the instruction and whether anyone will face consequences. The Beltway Report stated that it remains unclear who originated the guidance. The New York Times Post reported that it remains unclear who initially issued the instruction, but Fox News was told it was a "misunderstanding" and that the person responsible would likely face reprimand. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated reports below mention the specific number of ICE field offices that received the verbal guidance, nor do they detail the exact wording of the rescinded directive. The reports also do not include information on any potential consequences for the individual or individuals who issued the verbal guidance. ## Who covered it Shares of the 6 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 0% (0) - Centre: 0% (0) - Right: 100% (6) 0 of 6 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-29T22:30:30.001453+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 2 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-29T23:15:16.464Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left No separate framing summary. ### Centre No separate framing summary. ### Right - Right-rated reports led on the rescission of the ICE directive and the backlash from immigration hardliners. Next News Network and the New York Times Post highlighted quotes from immigration hawks, including one who stated, "I would have called for impeachment." These reports also focused on Mike Howell of the Mass Deportation Coalition and his comments regarding mixed messaging from the Department of Homeland Security. The reports noted President Trump's statement that there had been no change in enforcement posture. The New York Times Post also included a statement from White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis and mentioned Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - low: 2 - mixed: 4 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [capitalisminstitute.org](https://capitalisminstitute.org/ice-mixed-signals-spark-hawk-backlash-after-short-lived-arrest-pullback) — ICE Arrest Pullback Sparks Immigration Hawk Backlash - [Next News Network](https://nextnewsnetwork.com/2026/09/29/breaking-ice-pullback-order-rescinded-after-maga-firestorm-i-would-have-called-f-mun60jq2) — BREAKING: ICE Pullback Order RESCINDED After MAGA Firestorm — 'I Would Have Called for Impeachment' - [The Beltway Report](https://thebeltwayreport.com/2026/09/confusion-over-ice-arrest-guidance-sparks-backlash-from-immigration-hawks) — Confusion Over ICE Arrest Guidance Sparks Backlash From Immigration Hawks - [wfmd.com](https://wfmd.com/2026/09/29/ice-confusion-ignites-maga-backlash-i-would-have-called-for-impeachment) — ICE confusion ignites MAGA backlash: ‘I would have called for impeachment’ - [nytimespost.com](https://nytimespost.com/ice-confusion-ignites-maga-backlash-i-would-have-called-for-impeachment) — ICE confusion ignites MAGA backlash: ‘I would have called for impeachment’ - NEW YORK TIMES POST - [Fox News](https://foxnews.com/politics/ice-confusion-ignites-maga-backlash-would-have-called-impeachment) — ICE confusion ignites MAGA backlash: ‘I would have called for impeachment’ ## Questions **What was the internal ICE directive that was rescinded?** An internal verbal directive instructed some Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field offices to narrow their interior enforcement efforts to illegal immigrants with criminal histories. This directive was rescinded within hours of being issued. **Why was the ICE directive rescinded?** The guidance was rescinded following backlash from immigration hardliners and groups like the Mass Deportation Coalition. These groups expressed concerns that the administration was sending mixed signals on enforcement. **What did President Trump say about the directive?** President Trump told Fox News that there had been no change in the administration's enforcement posture. He stated that the policy prioritises, but is not limited to, the "worst first" individuals. **Who issued the verbal guidance?** It remains unclear who initially issued the verbal guidance. The White House has not immediately responded to questions about its origin or why it was relayed to field offices before being rescinded. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/ice-arrest-guidance-rescinded-after-backlash. 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