ICE wants 'free' phone minutes for detained illegals at taxpayer cost of $10.2 million
ICE started giving free cell phone minutes to detained illegals when families could not visit during COVID-19 lockdowns
By Terrance Kible
Published: August 6, 2024 12:31pm
Updated: August 6, 2024 12:47pm
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a statement Tuesday about bringing back "free cell phone minutes" for detained illegal immigrants.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, ICE provided 520 minutes per detainee per month during a pause in in-person visitation. The program, which cost taxpayers $10.2 million, was free to detainees, according to an ICE statement.
ICE resumed in-person visitation after "the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency."
"Significant fiscal challenges" forced ICE to end the cell phone minutes program. ICE stated it "would gladly reinstate the 520 minutes calling program with adequate appropriated funds."
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