White House disputes portrayal of ICE arrest statistics, reiterates support for Save Act voting restrictions
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Summary
A White House spokesperson disputed media interpretations of ICE arrest statistics, said the administration prioritizes removal of convicted criminals, and reiterated support for the Save America Act's proof-of-citizenship and photo-ID provisions while acknowledging exemptions being discussed for military and disabled voters.
Caroline, White House spokesperson, disputed a media framing of ICE arrest statistics and said the administration remains focused on deporting "illegal aliens" while prioritizing convicted criminals. In response to a National Review question, she characterized recent reporting as taking statistics "out of context" and asserted that nearly 60% of ICE arrestees over the past year had criminal charges or convictions and that DHS has said about 70% have pending charges or prior convictions.
When asked about the Save America Act (referred to in the briefing as the Save Act), Caroline described its principal provisions as requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo identification to cast a ballot. She said the president strongly supports the legislation and acknowledged House Republicans are discussing exemptions for service members and voters with disabilities. Caroline declined to speak for House Republicans on internal negotiations.
The briefing presented the administration's priorities and statistics as the spokesperson described them; reporters asked follow-ups about interpretation and context. The administration did not provide supporting datasets or citations in the briefing; independent verification of the arrest statistics and legal analyses of the Save Act provisions are not included in the White House presentation.
